Page 46 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Mother, if I might have a moment?” Elizabeth asked when they again crossed paths around the ballroom.
So, she has worked up the courage.Mrs. Bennet had been expecting this conversation to come, though she had not expected it to occur at the ball.
“You look worried, Elizabeth. You should trust now that I will not call for my salts, no matter what you ask.”
“It is a very great thing I will ask, and I do not, on the whole, like it. Mr. Darcy and I wish to marry by common license. We take the girls to the seminary a week later. I know it all feels too soon, and I will not if you do not wish it. But he is needed in Town to support Miss de Bourgh’s situation with Lady Catherinewhile the colonel works to gain his new assignment at the offices. And he needs me, Mama.”
“You wish to marry in London rather than Longbourn, though Mary will not travel just now with so many sick tenants and your father hates Town. I do not like to think I will miss your wedding, but I know you and your Mr. Darcy are married in your hearts. I can tell by the way you already decide things together, this being one example.”
“We are, Mama.”
“Do not wait, Lizzy. If it is what is right for you and your husband, do not wait. I know you would stay if I asked, but you can visit in the summer. You must do what is best for your family.”
“William will send the coach so you and Mary might attend if you wish. And he hopes that you, Papa, and Mary might come to Pemberley in the summer. He promises a tour of The Lakes, and you can tell me how you wish to redecorate the room you shall stay in whenever you come. All to your liking.”
“He is too generous.”
“William is grateful to have a mother in his life again, and he wants to honor you. The banns will have been read three times before we take our vows, but we will have a small ceremony. When you come to London, we will enjoy a celebratory dinner with the Gardiners and Bingleys.”
“Go on, now. Tell your Mr. Darcy you may marry as you choose, and with my blessing,” Mrs. Bennet said, patting Elizabeth’s cheek when her daughter leaned in to kiss hers.
“Thank you, Mama. I will have Aunt Gardiner find you the perfect fabrics so that you can have a new gown when you visit us. Lydia and Kitty will have a Season once they complete their schooling. Who knows, perhaps you will have all five of us married in five years?”
“So long as their happiness matches what you and Jane now know,” Mrs. Bennet said in closing.
Lizzy smiled incandescently as she stepped to Mr. Darcy’s side, Mrs. Bennet watched her tell him that they could marry as they hoped. It was unfortunate that she did not yet comprehend her second daughter the way she did Mary, but there was time. Mrs. Bennet took heart, having a far greater understanding between them than ever before.
“That was both generous and very selfless of you, Fanny.”
She turned to find her husband at her side. “Look at them, Thomas. They would wait to marry if I asked. But a love such as theirs has its own terms. The few who find the one whose soul matches theirs should not be denied. They must make their way together.”
“I had always thought myself a fortunate man, but it is in these recent weeks that I have come to understand it is because of you, Fanny. You are the fortune that fills my life. Every good thing that has happened these last twenty-three years is because of you. I thank you.” Then he took her hand to join their daughters in the next set.
“Indeed, Thomas, God has been very good to us,” Mrs. Bennet said.
Mary stepped into the line of dancers and partnered a second time with Captain Saunderson. Many observers looked surprised when banter passed between Mary and the captain.
“What do we know of him?” Mr. Bingley asked Colonel Fitzwilliam whilst their respective partners circled them.
“I'll have the investigation started tomorrow,” Mr. Darcy murmured while he led Jane through the circle next to the others. The three of them grinned slyly when Charlotte, Anne, and Jane rolled their eyes at their antics.
Dear reader, it could be said that Charlotte wished that she, Jane, Elizabeth, and Anne had enjoyed such protections and assurances. Still, it was not this author’s purpose to comprise all her considerations that evening. However, it would later amuse Charlotte to learn that Mary would have preferred to make her way as her older sisters had, with no interference at all.
So ends the first of these three vagaries.
Alternative 2
Hear No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Chapter 1
The Darcys Had Arrived at Netherfield Park
After a short rest, Darcy and Georgiana joined Miss Bingley and the Hursts in the Netherfield drawing room before dinner. While Darcy would never confess such to another, he often caught himself looking at Miss Bingley’s throat when she spoke to see if she had an Adam’s apple. With the barest of feminine endowments, she could only be termed tolerable. He had seen many male actors on the stage pretending to be women. He believed she could play both sexes to perfection.
“Miss Darcy, I hope you find in the countryside here inspiration to paint,” Bingley said by way of welcoming her into the room.
“You seem quite happy here, Mr. Bingley.”
