Page 31 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

D arcy sat in the middle of the table, between Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner, with Elizabeth opposite him and Colonel Fitzwilliam — who had just returned that evening — two seats away.

He was surprised by the sense of happiness that enveloped him amidst people he had so arrogantly loathed only a year ago.

In truth, Mrs Bennet’s manners were as poor as always, and her habit of speaking in an unguarded and unwise way was unchanged.

However, it did not bother him as much. Partially because she was Elizabeth’s mother and partially because he had been forced to face Lady Catherine’s poor conduct recently.

He could not reproach other families when his own was so lacking.

The best measurement was Georgiana, who was always timid, restrained, and silent in the presence of Lady Catherine. Now, his sister was laughing — loudly and joyfully, as he had rarely heard her with their own relatives.

“Upon my word,” Mrs Bennet said, “if you love dogs and cats, you will find the perfect match in my Lizzy, Miss Darcy. I am not sure how large Pemberley is, but Lizzy could easily fill it with pets.”

“Mama!”

“No mama, Lizzy, we all know it is the truth.”

“Elizabeth is the best sister I could hope for,” Georgiana said, and Elizabeth smiled at her affectionately.

“Speaking of sisters, Miss Darcy, your presence has produced a little miracle,” Mrs Bennet continued. “Mary’s improvement at the pianoforte is so impressive! She has progressed more in the last month than in the previous ten years.”

Miss Mary’s face coloured, while Georgiana answered, “I have done nothing but to point out to Mary some details that my professors taught me during my studies. She is naturally talented, and her proficiency is applaudable.”

“Well, I must thank you too, Miss Darcy,” Mr Bennet interjected. “Since she has had the benefit of your company, Kitty has surprisingly managed to spend more than ten minutes a day in a rational manner.”

Elizabeth glanced at Darcy, obviously embarrassed by her parents making sport of their own daughter, and he sent back a reassuring smile.

“Kitty and Mary are both lovely young women,” Mrs Gardiner interjected. “I agree that Miss Darcy’s company is beneficial for them, as it is for all of us.”

“I daresay my sister has benefited from the company of all of you too,” Darcy finally interjected. “And so have I.”

“I can easily testify to that,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interjected.

“My dear Mr Darcy — please forgive my bold address — you are so much nicer since you became engaged to Lizzy! I cannot believe you will be married in only five days!” Mrs Bennet declared, causing even more mortification to her daughters.

“I thank you, Mrs Bennet. I must say I agree with you. My engagement to Elizabeth has certainly help me improve, and I trust marriage will have an even better influence.”

“I can testify to that too!” The colonel laughed, sipping from his glass.

By the second course, the conversation had turned to London and then to Pemberley, where Darcy invited the entire family for the summer.

The dinner ended rather early, due to the bad weather. Darcy had hardly managed to steal a private moment with Elizabeth, but it was enough. She had returned to Longbourn and they had fixed the wedding date for the end of that week; he could wait till then.

After the guests departed, the ladies retired for the night, and Darcy moved with Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam to the library for some more drinks.

“Bingley, you have been awfully quiet. Are you unwell?” the colonel asked.

“I have never felt worse in my life. I cannot forget what Louisa did, and I fear it has affected Jane very much. Neither of us have been the same since that horrible day.”

“I can understand your distress better than you imagine, Bingley,” Darcy said.

“I know you suffer and are ashamed, even though it is not your fault. But do not allow this unfortunate event to interfere between you and your wife. You must ask what troubles her, provide her comfort, and take your own comfort from her. It is not your fault that you married for love and found a happiness that many will never know.”

“I agree with Darcy,” the colonel added. “I do not wish to worry you, but while I noticed Georgiana looking better than ever, I also observed that Mrs Bingley looked paler, more tired, quieter, and smiled less than when I first came to Netherfield.”

“I have noticed the same!” Bingley exclaimed. “Could she be ill? Do you think we should call a doctor?”

“I think you should speak to her first, openly and honesty, and find a way to overcome this unpleasant situation.”

“Louisa and Caroline have always been selfish and inconsiderate. They never approved of my marriage to Jane. And now this? A plot to bring Lord Langley into my own house to throw shame over me? I should break any connection to them for good!”

“And yet you will not do that because you are too kind a man,” Darcy said. “But do take care of your wife, especially since you will be alone soon. It is your duty to provide more for her happiness than a comfortable income.”

“I shall. There is nothing more important to me than Jane’s happiness. So, when will you all leave? We shall dearly miss you.”

“Elizabeth and I shall travel to London on our wedding day. Georgiana and Mrs Annesley may stay as long as they wish, and so may Richard.”

“I would like to return to London with Georgiana a few days after the wedding,” the colonel said. “As soon as the weather allows for a safe journey. Perhaps we can arrange to travel on the same day as the Gardiners.”

“Look, I received a letter from Caroline today and have been too afraid to even open it,” Bingley said, gulping from his brandy.

“Well, you should. Perhaps there is something important in it,” the colonel said.

“I should, but I loathe to hear anything from them. I cannot imagine how she was so silly as to scream and wake the entire house. If she had stayed silent, there would be no scandal!”

Darcy exchanged a glance with his cousin, but neither said anything.

Eventually, Bingley filled another glass and opened the letter, reading it briefly, then frowned and read it again.

“I cannot believe it! Caroline says she is engaged to Morton, Lord Langley’s brother!

They will be married in two months, and she has asked for my signature so she can take control of her fortune.

She said the solicitor you recommended to her, Darcy, has suggested some advantageous investments. The woman is out of her mind!”

“This is surprising indeed, but why out of her mind? Marrying Morton cannot be so bad. As for her money, she will get the entire sum upon her marriage in any case, will she not?”

“Yes, but investments? She has never spoken of anything of this kind before!”

“She did show a great interest in the subject,” Darcy said. “The solicitor I recommended to her is trustworthy and knowledgeable. If she listens to his advice, she might be successful.”

“So, you believe I should agree?” Bingley asked, stunned.

“Can you oppose it?” Darcy enquired. “Your sister has always wanted to marry someone from a titled family, we all know that. She is of age, is she not? I doubt that she needs your signature at all, unless it is a peculiar settlement.”

“I cannot remember what kind of settlement it is. Here, you may look for yourself. But Caroline marrying Morton? That means Louisa and Lord Langley will be related and could meet again in the future! This is appalling!”

Again, Darcy and the colonel looked at each other in silence.

“That is true, but I am asking you again, can you oppose it?” Darcy replied.

“As appalling as it sounds,” the colonel interjected, “it is by no means an exceptional situation. I know of much worse arrangements, in families with great notoriety in society.”

“It is appalling,” Bingley repeated. “But you are right, Darcy, I cannot oppose it. I shall write back to her tomorrow when hopefully my head is not so full of brandy. Now please excuse me — I shall go to bed.”

“We should go too,” Darcy addressed the colonel.

“Yes, we should…”

“So, Cousin, do you have any news to share?”

“Well, Lady Catherine sent a furious letter to my father about your engagement, demanding he take measures against it. As much as my parents disapprove of your marriage to Miss Bennet, Lady Catherine’s letter angered and annoyed Father even more.

He was enraged. I cannot imagine what he wrote in response. ”

“I trust your parents will be reasonable enough to judge Elizabeth fairly in time — that is all I hope for. As for Lady Catherine, I have no hopes at all. But what about you, Cousin? Do you have any news?”

“My brother and sister-in-law are exceedingly happy to be expecting an heir.”

“How wonderful. And…Lady Laura is in good health, I hope?”

“She is. I called on her yesterday to tell her about my visit to Netherfield. If you are curious about the nature of our relationship, it is the same as it was a fortnight ago.”

“I am curious, but I shall not ask. Good night, Cousin.”

“Good night to you too.”

∞∞∞

Four more days passed with visits between Longbourn and Netherfield, despite the weather taking a turn for the worse.

Darcy and Elizabeth enjoyed only as much privacy as was afforded during short walks in the garden.

There were not many things that remained unsaid between them, though.

Their understanding was mutual and complete, both yearning for the moment when they would finally be together.

It was decided they would travel to London immediately after the wedding, so they could reach their destination at a reasonable enough hour.

In the summertime, the journey with Elizabeth by his side would have been short, pleasant, and thrilling.

In bad winter weather, the prospect was rather worrisome.

The evening before the wedding, Darcy asked to speak to Elizabeth privately at Longbourn, and Mr Bennet agreed.