Page 29 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
A week after the ball, Elizabeth was still at Netherfield with the Bingleys, Georgiana, and Mrs Annesley.
Darcy had travelled to London as planned, and the other guests had departed in haste the day after the incident.
Except for Lady Laura, none of them had bid their hosts the friendly farewell that was required after a fortnight; however, Elizabeth assumed their low dispositions were caused more by her engagement to Darcy than Mrs Hurst’s indiscretion.
Bingley’s sisters returned to town, and Mr Hurst went to visit his friend without any further discussion about the scandalous incident.
The reports about Mrs Hurst’s infidelity spread throughout Meryton quickly.
With so many servants witnessing the scandal, it was the only expected outcome.
Bingley — and Jane by his side — assumed the blame and the mortification for the shameful event.
However, although Mrs Hurst’s outrageous betrayal was an entertaining subject of conversation, nobody in Meryton condemned the sweet Bingley couple.
Neither Mrs Hurst nor her husband were liked enough for anyone to care about the strength of their marriage.
Besides, another report involving the Bennet family — happier and even more astonishing — caused a stronger response and garnered everyone’s interest and disbelief.
Mr Bennet informed his wife about their second daughter’s engagement when Elizabeth and the Gardiners were present too.
The knowledge perturbed Mrs Bennet so deeply that for a while she could not even speak.
When she recovered, her thrilled voice and cries of joy were heard all the way to Meryton.
She could not stop exclaiming, pacing the room, kissing Elizabeth’s cheeks, thanking the Lord, and fearing it might be just a misunderstanding.
“Good gracious! Lord bless me! Mr Darcy! Who would have thought it? And is
it really true? What if he is joking? You said he always despised you!”
“It is true, Mama. Apparently, I was wrong in judging Mr Darcy’s feelings for me,” Elizabeth replied, trying to keep her good humour.
“Well, I told you not to be so hasty in judging people, Lizzy! You are clever but not all the time! I told you not to speak ill of Mr Darcy.”
“Did you, my dear?” Mr Bennet interjected. “When was that? I only remember when you insisted on her marrying Mr Collins.”
“Mr Bennet! You always enjoy vexing me! I admit I was wrong in that particular instance. But who could blame me? Who could have imagined that Lizzy — of all women — would ever receive another marriage proposal, and from a man like Mr Darcy? I am not sure how you did this, Lizzy, but I thank the Lord! Such a charming man! So handsome and so tall! I hope he will overlook my previous dislike of him.”
“I am sure he will,” Mr Bennet responded in jest again. “I suspect he did not like you or any of us too much either, so you are even.”
“You may say whatever you want, Mr Bennet, but you will not ruin my disposition nor stop me from expressing my happiness!”
“I am very sorry to hear that, my dear Mrs Bennet,” the gentleman concluded.
“Oh, my sweetest girl Lizzy, How rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! I am so pleased! A house in town! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord, I am distracted! What will become of me?”
“Dear sister,” Mrs Gardiner interjected kindly, “we should have a cup of tea to calm our nerves. We are all exceedingly happy for Lizzy, and yes, we have many reasons to thank the Lord.”
“My dear sister, do tell me a bit more about Pemberley!” Mrs Bennet continued.
“How large is it? Is it as large as an earl’s home?
I am so happy! I must know all the details to tell my sister Phillips and Mrs Long and Lady Lucas!
I am sure Lady Lucas will die of envy! She thought herself so important when her daughter married that clergyman who will inherit Longbourn after Mr Bennet dies. Now she will see what important means!”
Mr Bennet rolled his eyes. “Mrs Bennet, I am astonished how you can speak of happiness and my death in one breath. Brother, let us go to the library and have a brandy. Lizzy, congratulations again, my child. If there are any young men asking to marry Kitty or Mary, just send them to me.”
Elizabeth watched the scene with serenity; she had expected her mother’s loud response. She was grateful that Darcy was not there to witness it, though. Hopefully, her mother’s restless cries would be exhausted by the time he returned.
“Mama, if you do not mind, I would like to return to Netherfield now. They will be waiting for me for dinner.”
“Oh, speaking of dinner, we must have Mr Darcy to dinner when he returns! Tell me what dish Mr Darcy is particularly fond of so we can prepare it for him!”
“Mama, I am sure Mr Darcy will enjoy whatever you order. He is not as imperious as he appears.”
“Oh, we cannot serve him anything beneath his expectations! I am already shocked that he wishes to marry you! Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! ’Tis as good as a Lord! And a special licence! You must be married by a special licence!”
“Mama, let us wait for Mr Darcy’s return. Then, I shall move back home, and we shall have all the time we need to discuss the wedding.”
“Yes, yes, you may go. Send Miss Darcy our best regards! I shall write my sister Phillips a letter right now! And tomorrow I shall go to Meryton to visit her!”
Elizabeth said nothing, only shook her head; any attempt to contradict her mother was pointless.
Beginning that very evening — by letter — and the next day in person, Mrs Bennet spread the news of Elizabeth’s engagement to everyone in Meryton and beyond.
The first responses were astonishment, incredulity, and doubt.
Besides dancing two sets together at the last ball, nobody could remember any partiality between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.
The subject was of great interest in the neighbourhood, and everyone awaited the return of Darcy to confirm it.
Elizabeth missed Darcy exceedingly; during the day, she had the pleasure of talking about him with her family and friends.
During the night, she had the comfort of her recollections, and, regardless of how many times the bed sheets were changed, she still could smell his scent and feel the trace of his body.
She dreamt of his kisses, his caresses, of the sensation of his hands and lips on her bare skin.
She missed the pleasure he gave her, but even more, she missed the joy of his company, and she counted the days.
Darcy wrote a letter to Mr Bennet, sharing the progress of his affairs, and two to Elizabeth — short, sweet, and tender but lacking in any specific details about his success or the date of his arrival.
Although she had no reason to doubt him, Elizabeth’s nervousness and her impatience grew as the days passed.
Furthermore, she was also worried, as the weather turned very poor. It was snowing, the wind blew strongly, the roads were in poor condition, the daylight was short — making any journey exceedingly dangerous.
Eight days since his departure, without any particular notice, on one freezing evening while Elizabeth and the rest of the party were enjoying dinner at Netherfield, Darcy appeared.
Alone, frozen, slightly pale, and obviously tired, he wore a large smile on his face brightened with delight.
Everyone stood up to welcome him; he greeted them, then his gaze rested upon Elizabeth.
“I must look awful. I shall wash and change my clothes and return in a few minutes. Do not interrupt your dinner for me — I shall join you shortly.”
Darcy’s gaze spread a sweet weakness through Elizabeth’s body. Flushed, she smiled and replied teasingly, “I cannot speak for everyone, but in my personal opinion, you look very handsome.”
“This is the advantage of being engaged — you have someone who always praises you,” he answered in the same manner, while Georgiana chuckled into her napkin.
Darcy returned as quickly as he had promised; he moved an empty chair and placed it near Elizabeth, then filled his plate.
“I admit I am starving. I have not eaten since breakfast.”
“I am glad you are here, Darcy,” Bingley said. “We were wondering about your delay. I hope everything was completed to your satisfaction.”
“Yes, very much so. It took me longer than I estimated, but fortunately everything is in order before the wedding. I hope all is well here too. Everyone is in good health?” he enquired, looking especially at his sister.
“Oh yes, we are having a lovely time, Brother,” Georgiana answered.
“Mr Bingley allows me to use the music room all the time. I like to practise with Mary, either here or at Longbourn. I visit Mary and Kitty almost every day. Mr and Mrs Gardiner and the children are still there. Oh, and the puppy Lizzy saved is in my room — he seems to favour me and Mary the most. He is a boy, and I have called him Chase because he chases me everywhere.”
“Indeed, Chase betrayed me.” Elizabeth laughed. “Perhaps he felt I was too preoccupied these days and could not offer him my undivided attention.”
“I am glad to hear you have had a pleasant time. Chase must be a spoilt boy since he has so many people’s affection and attention to choose from,” Darcy said.
“Brother, how are our uncle and aunt?” Georgiana asked.
“They are in good health. Richard will return in a few days too. I shall write to him as soon as we decide on the wedding date.”
“Have you purchased the licence?” Elizabeth asked timidly. He turned to her, and his leg touched hers under the table.
“Of course. I have also brought the settlement and will show it to your father for approval tomorrow. We can marry as soon as you wish.”
Elizabeth only nodded; she wanted to say that her wish was for them to marry as soon as possible, but she did not dare in the presence of his sister and hers.