Page 37 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“Yes, Papa,” Elizabeth meekly said.
“Mr. Bennet,” Fitzwilliam spoke up, then hesitated and looked toward Richard. Lizzy knew they were communicating. Richard nodded and Fitzwilliam continued. “I don’t believe we should post the banns−”
“You, sir, are not yet her husband and I can still refuse permission!”
“Sir! I have a valid reason for not wanting the banns read and it is for the very safety of your daughter that I ask for this concession.”
Lizzy watched in horror as the two men she loved most in the world raised their voices in anger. Papa she understood, but why was Fitzwilliam balking at reading the banns?
“Mr. Bennet,” Richard intervened as the voice of reason. “We believe your daughter’s life would be endangered if it was made public that she was engaged to Darcy.”
“Wouldn’t her life be equally endangered after they’re married as well.”
“Well...” Richard ran a hand around his neck in frustration and looked to Darcy.
“I can see that I must explain my reasons more fully. Please have a seat, this could take some time,” Fitzwilliam said and waited for them to resume their seats.
Once they were all settled, Fitzwilliam began to speak. He told of how his childhood friend Wickham had begun to dabble in the Dark Arts. Despite he and his father begging him to quit that path and pursue other interests, George continued. Over time Mr. Wickham began to hate everything related to the Darcy family. His stated goal was to destroy them and all of their kind. Papa gasped and Lizzy knew he was having flashbacks to Robespierre.
“The only thing that has kept George from attaining a following is the fact he’s forever running up debts and dallying with women. He can never stay in one spot long enough to gather others to his cause.”
“And how would my Lizzy be in danger from him?”
“If he knew how much I loved your daughter, his goal would be to hurt her in order to hurt me.”
“That’s pure trajectory. You have no proof he’d attempt such a thing.”
“Yes, he would. He tried to elope with my sister this past summer. It’s only by the grace of God that I arrived before he succeeded.”
“Why didn’t she transport herself to safety?”
“She is but fifteen...”
“He hoped she’d have magic.”
“Yes,” Fitzwilliam’s shoulders drooped, almost as though he were fatigued to the bone.
“I still can’t allow you to wed by Special License. It would cast aspersions on Lizzy’s character and the gossip’s tongues would wag right out of their mouths.” Papa stood and so did Fitzwilliam and Richard. “You’ll have to marry by Common License then. No banns required for that. Now, for the logistics of tonight. What do you suggest we do as my daughter cannot transport herself home?”
“I can have a carriage ready within the hour to return Miss Elizabeth back to Longbourn.”
“I don’t see how this can work. Mrs. Bennet will become suspicious if I do not poke my head out some time during the evening and Lizzy will take, at the very least, over five hours to get home. This is a mess from start to finish.”
“Papa, could you not cleanse Mama’s memories of tonight, like you did when you visited France?”
“Cleansing a person’s memory is a tricky thing and must be treated with respect. When you alter a person’s memory, you twist parts of the fabric of their life. No, we will find another way to divert her attention.”
“Mr. Bennet, may I suggest you and Richard return to Longbourn and come up with a plausible excuse for why your daughter is still out at this late hour. I will stay in London and prepare the marriage settlement.” Fitzwilliam said.
“That could work, Papa.” Lizzy held her father’s gaze. “I would dearly love to have your consent, not only for Mr. Darcy’s solution on how to return me safely to Longbourn, but also your blessing for our marriage.”
Bennet gave her a wistful smile. “I love you my little Lizzy and I have given him my consent. He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse any thing. I now give it to you, if you are resolved on having him.”
“I am more than resolved.” She rose to her feet and joined Darcy. She took his hand in hersand laced their fingers together.“I love him.”
~~oo0oo~~
Lizzy alighted from the luxurious carriage a half mile away from Longbourn and began the short walk home. Dawn crept over the low hills, daring to throw shafts of light at the retreating darkness. She smiled in remembrance of the startled look of the footman when she and Papa were escorted by Fitzwilliam to the door at such a late hour. He bade them goodnight and they’d walked to the street and pretended to hail a hackney cab. Once the door had closed, Papa gathered her in a tight hug, kissed her cheek and stepped behind the shrubbery fence and shimmered back to Longbourn.
