With All Her Heart Page 5

  “I am not! Nephew, I am most seriously displeased. I am your nearest relation and have been as a mother to you. How can you treat me so?” She said outraged.

  “Madame, you can have nothing more to say to me. You have insulted my intelligence, my friends, and my fiancée. I must ask you to leave at once,” Darcy declared.

  “Fiancée?” Bingley said reentering the doorway, shock playing across his features before he bounded happily toward his friend. “Congratulations, man,” he said shaking Darcy’s hand vigorously. “Miss Elizabeth, you will be a very happy woman,” said Bingley kissing her knuckles.

  “Thank you, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth blushed.

  “This will not be borne!” Lady Catherine shouted. “You are engaged to Anne! Are her hopes to be dashed?” She continued.

  “Mother! You know I have no wish to marry Darcy or anyone, yet you insist that I am engaged to a man who has never even asked for my hand, let alone spoken more than three words to me in the last five years,” declared Anne DeBourg entering the room.

  “Anne, what are you doing out of the carriage? I told you to stay put,” Lady Catherine raged.

  “Did you hear what I said, mother? Darcy and I are NOT engaged. From what I understand he is engaged to this young woman here,” Anne smiled at Elizabeth.

  “Cousin Anne, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Bennett of Longbourn,” Darcy said pulling Elizabeth forward to meet Anne. Both ladies curtsied.

  “Pleasure to meet you despite the circumstances,” teased Anne.

  “Has the world gone mad? “Exclaimed Lady Catherine, to which everyone turned to look at her. “I am leaving nephew. I take no leave of you, I have nothing more to say. I take no leave of your acquaintances they deserve no such attention,” Lady Catherine huffed as she turned to leave.

  “Finally,” Bingley murmured as Elizabeth stifled a giggle.

  “Anne!” Lady Catherine snapped.

  “Well, I must be going. Again, it was a pleasure to meet you,” she curtsied before following her mother out of the parlor and into the front foyer.

  “I should check on Jane,” Elizabeth said, once they heard the front door close.

  “I will prepare a horse to go speak to your father,” Darcy smiled down meaningfully at Elizabeth and kissed her hand.

  “I will see you at luncheon?”

  “Of course,” he smiled before calling a servant to fetch his horse as Elizabeth headed up to see Jane.

  “I say, Darcy, that aunt of yours is a downright dragon,” Bingley declared once Elizabeth was out of earshot. Darcy laughed.

  “Good thing I’m immune to her flames,” Darcy teased, causing Bingley to laugh.

  “And when will it be your turn to speak to Mr. Bennett?” Darcy asked. Bingley sighed.

  “As soon as I know my angel will have me. You know I’ve barely spoken to her though she’s resided under my roof for nearly a fortnight,” Bingley said exasperated.

  “All in due time, man,” said Darcy just as a groomsman informed him his horse was ready.

  “Off with you, then, and good luck,” Bingley called as Darcy went out the door to meet with his prospective father-in-law.

  ***

  “Jane! Jane! I have the best news!” Elizabeth buoyantly entered her sister’s chamber.

  “Well tell me quickly, my love,” Jane said sitting up alert in bed.

  “Mr. Darcy proposed! He asked me when we went on our walk this morning,” Elizabeth spun and flopped on the bed.

  “How marvelous,” Jane clapped excitedly.

  “He is gone to Longbourn to talk to my father now,” Elizabeth said turning over on to her stomach to look at Jane. “Perhaps Mr. Bingley will work up his nerve and ask you.” Lizzy teased, waggling her eyebrows causing Jane to giggle.

  “Oh, Lizzy. How can he even get to know me when I am confined to this room,” Jane sighed.

  “Well, darling. You simply must get out of bed, get dressed, and come down to luncheon. I think you are well enough for that,” said Lizzy.

  “I am feeling much better. Perhaps we should go home today?” Jane suggested, biting her lip. Elizabeth sighed.

  “I know you are right, but the thought of being parted from my dear William brings such an ache to my chest,” Elizabeth said clutching her hand to her chest dramatically.

  Jane laughed, “I know what you mean” she said quietly.

  “Oh Jane, come, let us have a bath and prepare to wash the sick off of you and get you ready to dazzle Mr. Bingley,” Lizzy teased, pulling the bell for Daisy.

  ***

  Chapter 10: Debacle

  “Miss Bennett!” Mr. Bingley greeted, his voice brimming with enthusiasm upon Jane and Elizabeth entering the parlor. The other gentlemen stood and bowed in acknowledgement of the ladies who curtseyed in response.

  “You look wonderful,” said Mr. Bingley offering his arm to a blushing Jane and setting her in a chair before the fire.

  “It is a pleasure to see you so well recovered,” Darcy added. Jane nodded and discreetly offered her congratulations on his betrothal, though he could not take his eyes off of his betroth, who took up her place beside him.

  “Yes, Miss Bennett. We are all happy to see you so recovered,” declared Mrs. Hurst to the surprise of both ladies.

  A servant entered the room, presenting a letter to Elizabeth.

  “Excuse me,” Elizabeth said to the room before repairing to an armchair in a corner to read the message from home.

  “Papa instructs us to come home the moment you are well enough to do so, Jane,” Elizabeth revealed.

  “I am well enough,” she said, “Is anything amiss?” she asked concerned.

  “It seems Lady Catherine repaired to Longbourn before making her sentiments known here and spouted her vitriol all over mama and papa requires our presence to put him at ease,” Elizabeth said looking nervously at Darcy.

  “He did seem very out of sorts when I went to speak with him earlier,” revealed Darcy to a confused Elizabeth.

  “Did he deny you?” asked Elizabeth.

  “He did not. However, he also did not seem too enthused either,” Darcy grimaced.

  “Well, I am my father’s favorite. I can imagine him not being too happy about me marrying.”

  “And if the dragon was at Longbourn,” Mr. Bingley added.

  “No wonder he is requesting our immediate return,” Jane finished.

  “He must be very concerned,” said Elizabeth staring at the missive. “I will inform him that we will return in the morning,” decided Elizabeth. Jane flashed her a grateful smile and settled back on the chair next to Mr. Bingley.

  “I say, Darcy, it sounds as though congratulations are in order to you and Miss Elizabeth,” conjectured Mr. Hurst. He stood and crossed over to Darcy and shook his hand happily before kissing Elizabeth on her knuckles. Mrs. Hurst rose and offered her congratulations as well. A servant informed them luncheon was ready and they all retired to the dining room.

  ***

  The day progressed much more uneventfully than the previous, for which all parties were grateful. Mr. Bingley paid all his attention to Jane without reserve, basking in the smiles and healthy glow of his angel. Mr. Darcy sat in much the same attitude with his Elizabeth, though with a little more reserve than the gregarious Bingley. Mr. Hurst lay snoring on the fainting couch while Mrs. Hurst sat playing quietly on the pianoforte. All in all it was a pleasant way to pass the time.

  The sun was just setting, the evening stealing over the day, when the parlor door opened to admit a servant. “Mr. Bennett,” the servant announced before that very man marched purposefully into the room.

  “Papa!” Elizabeth said astonished. As the gentlemen rose to bow to the patriarch. Mr. Bennett leveled a steely gaze upon his second daughter.

  “Lizzy, are you out of your senses?” he stated angrily. He looked about the room at those assembled there. “You seem quite well to me, Jane. I am perplexed as to why my summons went unheeded” Mr.
Bennett declared furiously to the reddening of both his daughters’ cheeks.

  “Papa, I thought it would be in the best interest of Jane’s health to return in the morning. She only just left her sickbed,” Elizabeth explained.

  “Oh? And I suppose the attentions of these gentlemen, here, had no inducement?” Mr. Bennett sneered.

  “Papa, why are you so angry? I do not understand,” said Elizabeth, eyes glistening.

  “No, you wouldn’t. This gentleman here comes to Longbourn to inform me he is to take you away to the North as his wife--”

  “I didn’t--” Darcy stammered.

  “Only moments before I am lambasted by a woman declaring to be his nearest relation, decrying that Mr. Darcy cannot be marrying my daughter because he is engaged to hers. After which caused such an uproar in my home. I have now gotten your mother calm enough and in her bed so that I can travel here to retrieve you both and take you back home,” her father said huffing.

  “Mr. Bennett, I apologize if my aunt--”Mr. Darcy tried again, but Mr. Bennett held up his hand.

  “Lizzy, Jane, please prepare to return home,” he said to his daughters.

  “Papa--” Lizzy began to protest.

  “No, Lizzy. I cannot abide by my daughter marrying into a family that will not accept her. I will not subject you to such misery,” he declared.

  “Mr. Bennett. I would never allow Elizabeth to be disrespected by my family. I promise if Elizabeth married me she would have no cause to repine,” Mr. Darcy said standing, his eyes pleading understanding from Mr. Bennett. Elizabeth was now openly weeping with Jane trying to comfort her.

  “Sir, if you think resentment would not bear its teeth in your marriage at having to make the sacrifice of your family for my Lizzy then you are blind. I will not have my daughter in a marriage dominated by acrimony. No, sir, I would rather see her with a family that respects and values her.”

  “I value and respect her. I have no need of a wife with a fortune or connections and Lady Catherine is only one member of my family--”

  “Whose voice, I’m sure, represents the opinion of those dominant in your family. No, sir, it is a father’s job to protect his child. I know my duty and if your aunt is telling the truth, I suggest you do yours by your cousin,” said Mr. Bennett.

  “I am not betrothed to Anne, I swear!” Mr. Darcy said desperately.

  “Mr. Darcy, we are done here,” Mr. Bennett said with finality. He turned to his daughters, “Elizabeth, Jane, I will await you in the carriage,” Mr. Bennett said before bowing and leaving the room. The two girls rose to do their father’s bidding.

  Mr. Darcy strode behind Elizabeth and grabbed her hand. He turned her tear stained face toward his. “Meet me at the servants’ stairwell in the East wing in ten minutes. Grab what you can,” he whispered meaningfully. She nodded and headed hastily to her room.

  Darcy strode quickly to his room to carry out the necessary tasks he needed. He knew the step was drastic but felt his chance at happiness slipping through his fingers.

  ***

  Elizabeth arrived breathlessly at the bottom of the servants’ stairs to spy a pacing Mr. Darcy. She strode over to him and gently grasped his arm. “I am here, William,” she said startling him from his occupation.

  “My beloved, I feared you wouldn’t come,” he said embracing her.

  “What are we going to do?” she said unable to stem the flow of tears that began to stream down her face.

  “Come away with me!” he said suddenly.

  “What?” she gasped.

  “To Gretna Green. I love you, more than life itself and cannot bear an uncertain future without you. Say you will marry me,” Darcy pleaded.

  “I will,” Elizabeth said throwing herself into his arms.

  “Come. We have no time to lose,” he said grasping her hand and pulling her toward the door to the kitchen. Without another thought, she followed him out of Netherfield and into the night, trusting him with all her heart.

  ***

  Chapter 11: Epilogue

  Her toes were frozen by the time they got to Gretna Green but standing across from William and speaking her vows was the happiest moment in her life right then. During the three days it took to arrive, he was the perfect gentleman, though Elizabeth would have no idea how much it cost him!

  Having mercy on her family, once the deed was done, they made their way back to Longbourn as husband and wife. Mr. Bennett was furious initially, but eventually his natural indolence won out and he accepted the Darcys’ marriage, though he would never admit that unlimited access to the library at Pemberley had anything to do with his acquiescence.

  Mrs. Bennett was in raptures upon the announcement of the fait accompli. Expounding upon how much she always liked the charming Mr. Darcy and chattering nonstop of Lizzy’s elevation in social status. She was beyond the moon that the family, including the Gardiners, were invited to Pemberley for Christmas to meet Darcy’s younger sister, Georgiana.

  Caroline Bingley screeched and threw every teacup on the china tray when she saw Darcy’s marriage announcement in the papers to that grasping Eliza Bennett. She was effectively exiled from the family when she couldn’t remain civil to Lizzy or Jane when in company, finally marrying a barrister two years later. She never did reconcile with her brother and his family.

  In Derbyshire, Jane and Mary had a joint wedding with their beloveds. Mr. Collins became a welcome member of the family, rising in esteem when Mr. Bennett found out about his defense of Elizabeth against Lady Catherine. After their marriage, Mr. Collins ended his curacy in Hunsford and he and Mary settled in an estate ten miles away from Hertfordshire in Enfield. Jane, wanting to be close to her beloved sister, convinced Bingley to settle near Pemberley. They purchased a sizable estate in Ashbourne, where they could travel back and forth between estates comfortably.

  Kitty and Lydia spent their time in the North between their sisters. They were in awe of Georgiana and between the opportunity of acquiring new gowns and a Come Out ball, both were happy to be under the gentle guidance of Mrs. Annesley with their new sister.

  ***

  “And how are you this evening, my dear?” Mr. Darcy said entering his wife’s chamber at Pemberley. She sat at her boudoir brushing out her lustrous curls. She smiled at his reflection in the mirror before turning to face him.

  “I believe I am perfectly and incandescently happy,” she grinned up at him as he came forward. He took her soft hands in his and helped her to stand, wrapping his long arms around her waist.

  “I love you, Mrs. Darcy,” he said softly.

  “And I love you, with all my heart,” she said before they shared the sweetest of kisses.

  The End

  Work Cited Page

  Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Dover Publications, 1997

  Coleridge, Samuel. The Presence of Love, 1807 (poetry)