Page 48 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“I will speak to him this evening.”
“Good.” Elizabeth moved towards the door, then paused. “And Mr Darcy? I expect you to convince him thoroughly. Jane has suffered enough for your mistakes.”
With that parting barb, she swept from the room, leaving Darcy staring after her and wondering what exactly he had agreed to.
Chapter 17
Elizabeth
3rd May 1811
Elizabeth had finished her morning chocolate when the commotion in the hallway announced the arrival of visitors. The familiar sound of her mother’s voice, raised in animated conversation with Mrs Gardiner, sent her heart racing.
She had written to her mother days ago, asking her to find a reason to delay Jane’s answer to James Morton which she had done. In her reply, she had informed Elizabeth that she had met James Morton and told him Jane had caught a dreadful cold. He had not been pleased, but left without bothering Jane. She had also announced her imminent arrival at the Gardiners.
Given Elizabeth had only received the letter the day before, this was rather more imminent that she’d assumed.
“Lizzy!” Mrs Bennet swept into the sitting room, Jane following behind with her usual grace. Elizabeth hugged them both but her mother hardly gave her a chance to ask Jane how she fared. “My dear girl, your letter was most alarming. What is this about delaying Mr Morton? It has been done but you did not say why I had to delay him again.”
“In a moment,” Elizabeth said and embraced her sister, noting the shadows beneath Jane’s eyes and the pallor that had become her constant companion since Mr Bingley’s departure from Netherfield.
“Jane. How do you fare?”
“Well enough,” Jane replied, though her voice lacked conviction. “Lizzy, your letter was quite mysterious. What has changed?”
“Sit, both of you.” Elizabeth gestured to the sofa. “I have much to explain.”
Mrs Bennet settled herself with obvious anxiety, whilst Jane perched on the edge of her seat like someone expecting unpleasant news.
“Now then,” Mrs Bennet began, “what is this business about delaying James?”
Elizabeth took a steadying breath. “There has been a development. A rather extraordinary one.”
She began with the scandal sheets—Mr Darcy’s predicament, Caroline Bingley’s inspired decision to take advantage of the situation, the mounting pressure from his family. Both women listened with growing amazement as Elizabeth explained how desperate Darcy’s situation had become.
“Good gracious,” Mrs Bennet breathed. “The poor man, caught in such a snare. Though I must say, Miss Bingley shows cunning.”
“Indeed. Which brings me to my news.” Elizabeth paused, gathering her courage. “I have offered to help Mr Darcy escape his predicament.”
“How very charitable of you, dear. But what can you possibly do?”
“I have agreed to become engaged to him.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Jane’s face went white as paper, whilst Mrs Bennet’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
“Engaged?” Jane whispered. “Lizzy, you cannot mean—”
“A false engagement,” Elizabeth said. “Temporary. A business arrangement to serve both our families.”
Mrs Bennet found her voice at last. “False? My dear girl, what on earth are you talking about?”
Elizabeth explained the entire scheme—how she would claim to be the mysterious Miss B, how their courtship would seem natural given their acquaintance at Netherfield, how Mr Darcy would pay off Longbourn’s debts in exchange for her cooperation.
When she finished, the room fell silent again.
“Lizzy,” Jane said at last, her voice shaking. “You cannot do this. The risks are too great. If you are discovered—”
“I will not be discovered,” Elizabeth said. “And Jane, this means you need not marry James Morton. You will be free to choose your own path.”
