Mr. Darcy's Proposal (40 page)

“May I offer you some tea?” Elizabeth asked politely.

“Oh, no. I shall never sit down to tea with you. You are a fortune hunter and interloper. Your arts and allurements caused my nephew to forget his duty to his family. His mother and I planned the marriage between Darcy and Anne when they were still in the cradle, and you have interfered,” she said with a haughty look.

“While I have the greatest respect for family, some people hope and wish for a marriage that is more than just the merging of fortunes.”

“Humph! Impertinent girl! I remember now when we first met I thought you spoke your mind too freely. This merely confirms my suspicions. You are an upstart girl with no family connections or fortune. If you think this marriage will raise you in society, you are mistaken.”

“In marrying your nephew, I did not consider that I was raising myself at all. Mr. Darcy is a gentleman and I am a gentleman’s daughter. So far we are equal.”

“True. You may be a gentleman’s daughter but who was your mother? Who are your aunts and uncles?”

“Whatever my connections may be,” said Elizabeth, “if your nephew does not object to them, then they can be nothing to you.”

“I know that one of your uncles is in trade in London. He lives in Cheapside,” said Lady Catherine disdainfully. “Oh, how am I to bear this humiliation you have brought upon our family name?”

Elizabeth was losing patience with the woman’s dramatic antics. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to whom you refer are people of refinement and good taste. In fact, they are much more pleasant than many people I know who purport to be of the finest families. Certainly their manners are not lacking when it comes to treating people with respect,” said Elizabeth tartly.

Lady Catherine colored. Elizabeth’s comment slowed but did nothing to stop the verbal assault. “And what about your youngest sister? Oh, yes, I have heard all about her adventures. She ran off with a man who had no intention of marrying her. It must have cost your family dearly to bring them to the altar. How can a girl like that be sister to my nephew and that Wickham person his brother? It is too shocking to be believed! I can only imagine what you did to my nephew to bewitch him as you did.”

Implying that she had somehow seduced or entrapped Darcy was more than Elizabeth could tolerate. Her patience snapped, and she was as angry as she could ever recall being in her life—even angrier than she had been that night in the library, if such a thing were possible. She would not stand there silently and allow Lady Catherine’s accusations go unanswered.

“Let me make it clear to you that I did not seek your nephew’s attentions nor did I do anything consciously to earn his good opinion, let alone his love. It was strictly by his own choice that he asked me to be his wife. And it was my choice to accept him—a decision based upon the kind of man I believe him to be, completely separate from his fortune and connections. I love him for himself alone. He is the most generous and honorable man I know, and he means everything to me.”

“Have you no regard for the reputation of my nephew? Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not realize that his connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everyone in society?” responded Lady Catherine. Her voice became more and more shrill as her agitation increased.

“I do not know what other people think nor do I care. What I do know is that the only person who has spoken openly against our marriage is you, Lady Catherine. If people have a low opinion of me, it is certainly more from your doing than anything related to me or my family.”

For once, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was speechless. She stood in the middle of the room with her mouth open, gasping like a fish out of water, but no words came out.

“Now I will take my leave of you,” said Elizabeth. “If you wish to speak to my husband, you may wait for him here. I will have one of the servants bring you whatever you wish for your comfort until then.” Elizabeth started to leave the room, but turned to have one final word. “William is the only man in the world to whom I could ever imagine being married. Let me be clear—I will never give him up! Now please accept my best wishes for your health and that of Miss de Bourgh. Good-day to you,” she said with a nod of her head.

Elizabeth walked to the door as quickly as possible. She did not want to give that spiteful old woman the satisfaction of seeing that her insults had reduced her to tears. Opening the door, she stepped quickly into the hallway where she walked straight into Darcy who nearly knocked her off her feet. He caught her by both arms, stopped her from falling, and pulled her away from the doorway before Lady Catherine could see that he was there.

Once the door was closed, he did not release her. Instead, he pulled her even closer against him so he could whisper in her ear. “Are you well?”

At this, the last thread of Elizabeth’s resolve to maintain her composure broke, and all of the misery of the past few months caught up with her. Grasping the lapels of Darcy’s coat with both hands to keep herself from sliding to the floor, she leaned against him as she shook with anger and hurt. Elizabeth felt him put his arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

“I am so sorry she hurt you,” he said. “This is my fault. I just never imagined she would come to the house unannounced.”

She continued to cling to him for support. Being in his arms was such a comfort that she never wanted it to end. It was the first time he had shown her any real affection or concern since their terrible fight almost a month ago. When she finally regained control of herself, she peered up at him.

Upon seeing her tear-stained face, he offered her his handkerchief. Elizabeth started to decline his offer as she had for once remembered to put one in her pocket, but she reconsidered and gratefully accepted it.

“Thank you,” she said. “It seems I am unprepared again, and you have rescued me in more ways than one.” Elizabeth could see the pain in his face as he watched her wipe away the tears, but there was also a moment when his eyes softened. This was the look that had been missing from his face ever since that terrible night. As soon as she stopped shaking, Darcy guided her to a chair in his study and helped her to sit.

“Elizabeth, I have a few things to say to my aunt and then I shall return immediately. Will you please wait here?” She nodded. Their eyes held briefly before he broke off and left to join Lady Catherine.

***

As Darcy walked toward the parlor, he steeled himself for yet another confrontation with his aunt. Earlier, he had been outside in the hallway for several minutes before Elizabeth had come bursting through the door, and he had heard some of what she had said about him. Could it be true that she really loved him or was that her pride speaking in response to Lady Catherine’s insults? He was pleased she had at least regained some of her old spirit and had not hesitated to speak up for herself. Darcy rested his hand on the doorknob and made sure his face reflected only calmness before he entered.

“Lady Catherine, this is quite a surprise. I did not know you were in town,” he said as pleasantly as he could.

“I was just speaking to that woman who calls herself your wife. I was explaining to her in no uncertain terms exactly what I think of your marriage.”

“You have already conveyed your sentiments in person and also in several letters, but apparently you feel the need to deliver your message in person yet again.” Walking over to the fireplace, he rested his arm on the mantle.

“Yes, I wanted to tell that little fortune hunter to her face what I think of her, and now I have a few words for you, nephew,” said Lady Catherine tightening her grip on the handle of her cane.

“You are quite mistaken about Elizabeth,” Darcy interrupted. “She is no fortune hunter. There are few people I know who care as little for status and material advantages as she does.”

“How could you have done this to Anne? You know your mother and I planned your union from the time of your birth,” she said, completely ignoring Darcy’s comments.

Darcy decided that now was the time to put a stop to her impossible behavior once and for all. “I am sorry for my part in this misunderstanding. Whenever I visited and you spoke of an engagement between Anne and me, I did not agree, but neither did I contradict you. It was cowardly of me. I should have told you a long time ago. Everyone in the family has known for years that Anne and I never intended to marry each other. You must have been the only one who was not aware of it. I apologize for not being more direct about it sooner,” he told her.

“You and Anne have spoken of this?” she asked in disbelief.

“We have talked about it many times over the years, and we are in complete agreement. I am sorry if this has hurt you, but it is my hope you will honor my wishes and accept Elizabeth as my wife.”

“How could I ever do that? This does not change anything,” she said, summoning up her most indignant tone again. “She has taken advantage of you and your family’s good name. Look what it has cost you!”

Darcy blanched at the thought that his aunt might know the depth of his involvement in recent matters with Wickham, but then he realized it was impossible that she could have this information. Not even Elizabeth knew the extent of what he had done.

“I have been managing my own affairs for many years now, and I do not require you to tell me what I should or should not do.”

“One of her uncles is in trade in London, and the other is a country lawyer or clerk or something like that. Certainly neither of them is a gentleman! Oh, how am I to bear this humiliation?” she said. She was growing more dramatic by the minute and actually seemed to be enjoying herself.

“Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle who live in London are the very best kind of people regardless of how Mr. Gardiner earns his living. We have dined at their home many times, and we have returned their hospitality by inviting them here.” He watched as Lady Catherine’s eyes grew wide in horror, and she gave a little snort of disapproval. “It does not matter to me where they live, and it is certainly no business of yours. After all, my dear aunt, many people we know are only a generation or two away from an ambitious relative who made their fortune in trade. Have you conveniently forgotten about your own husband’s father who, though of good birth, had only a small fortune to his name? Did he not greatly increase his wealth through shrewd business dealings? And is that not the same fortune that allows you to live so comfortably at Rosings?”

Lady Catherine gasped audibly. This last statement about the family of Lewis de Bourgh, her late husband, was true, but she clearly did not appreciate being reminded of it. When she turned to give Darcy a withering look, she was quite red in the face with exertion. Apparently, seeing that this argument was only turning against her, she changed tactics.

“And what about her impetuous, misbehaved sister who eloped? How can you bear having that husband of hers—the son of your father’s steward—as your brother!” She took a handkerchief from her reticule and waved it delicately to fan her face.

“What happened with Elizabeth’s sister is most unfortunate, but she is married now and that is an end to it. Elizabeth is the best person I know. There is more goodness in her than you could ever imagine.”

“But…but…” sputtered Lady Catherine trying to form another argument.

Darcy put up his hand to stop her. “In spite of all the terrible things you have said about my wife, she has urged me again and again to attempt reconciliation with you as she believes that the ties of family are of utmost importance. Are those the sentiments of a heartless fortune hunter? I am only going to tell you this once so please pay attention. I expect you to be civil to my wife or you will not be welcome in our home—not here in London and not at Pemberley,” he said with finality as he brought his fist down firmly on the mantelpiece, startling both Lady Catherine and himself with the sound. “Now would you like some tea? Or perhaps something stronger would be in order?” he offered in the most pleasant tone he could manage.

As soon as his aunt left the house, he went to his study to look for Elizabeth, but she was gone. She kept to her rooms until the next morning. Although he wanted to talk to her, by the time they met the next day, he had no idea where to begin.

Fifty Three

A few days after Lady Catherine’s eventful visit, Elizabeth received a letter from Jane describing the Wickham’s visit to Meryton in great detail. To no one’s surprise, Lydia had paraded around town with her glove off so that no one would miss seeing her wedding ring. Jane was mortified when Lydia had insisted that everyone—including her sisters—call her Mrs. Wickham.

According to Jane, only Mrs. Bennet had wholeheartedly enjoyed the visit. Even Kitty, who usually followed Lydia around like a puppy, was relieved when the newlyweds departed for Newcastle after a tedious week-long stay. But it was the end of the letter that Elizabeth found most curious.

…
Today Lydia let slip something that has aroused my curiosity, and so I must set propriety aside and beg you to tell me what you know. Lydia told me Wickham’s debts were paid and his commission arranged for and purchased by Mr. Darcy. At first, I could not believe I had heard her correctly. When I inquired, she told me that she had forgotten it was supposed to be a great secret. After that, she would say no more on the subject.

Is this true? We have all been under the impression that our Uncle Gardiner had undertaken to pay off all of Wickham’s debts and also to purchase a new commission for him. My dearest Lizzy, please write as soon as possible and tell me all you know. I am counting the days until I see you again.