Chapter 6
The day prior to
New Year, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife,
who came as usual to spend the festivities at Longbourn where they would stay
until Twelfth Night. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly
superior to his sister, as well by nature as education. His wife, who was
several years younger than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips, was an amiable,
intelligent woman, a favourite with all her Longbourn nieces. Between the
two eldest and Mrs. Gardiner existed a particular regard.
Meryton was a small
town but it by no means lacked in social activities. Assemblies and small balls
happened from Christmas to Twelve Night and the Bennets were eager attendants
to these events that usually reunited the village’s most prominent
families such as the Lucases and the Philipses.
It was during these
gatherings that Elizabeth
was able to realize at how much her status had changed since her engagement to
the Master of Pemberley was announced. Before the 26th of November, she was an
unattached girl without much consequence in life who enjoyed herself freely at
balls. An unfortunate incident suddenly transformed her into the
village’s black sheep and a fortnight later, when her
‘condition’ had been rectified and she had become the bride-to-be
of a rich man, she quickly turned into Meryton’s most fortunate citizen.
Undeniably, her mother had great responsibility in this transformation as she
never failed to enumerate the advantages her daughter would obtain once she
espoused the illustrious Mr. Darcy as well as how the status of the family
would be elevated when it finally became connected to one of the richest clans
in Derbyshire.
When the engagement
was at Longbourn, officers never failed to attend, including the charming Mr.
Wickham, a favourite among the Longbourn ladies. Mrs. Gardiner was rendered
suspicious by Elizabeth’s
warm commendation of him and narrowly observed them both every time the
gentleman came to the house, something that happened too often to her liking.
Her dear niece was engaged to another man and the preference she was showing
for the young officer was plain enough to make her a little uneasy. She
resolved to speak to Elizabeth
on the subject and warn her of the imprudence of encouraging such an
attachment.
Her surprise was
great when she heard directly from her niece’s lips the sort of
connection that Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy had. Yet despite this shocking
disclosure, Mrs. Gardiner thought it was her duty to give her niece the best
advice.
“This is a
serious accusation, Lizzy, are you certain that Mr. Wickham is telling you the
truth?” asked an incredulous Mrs. Gardiner. “As far as I know, the
Darcy family is much respected and I am inclined to believe that there might be
some falsehood in his affirmations.”
“I am most
certain, Aunt. I see no reason why Mr. Wickham would lie to me. His explanation
was so detailed and precise that I cannot doubt the veracity of his
tale.”
Elizabeth’s aunt was
not foreign to the part of Derbyshire from where Wickham was native, as she
spent several years in the village
of Lambton, barely six
miles away from the grand Pemberley. She also knew the late Mr. Darcy’s
character perfectly well and was aware that the gentleman was known for his
honourable disposition. About his son, she knew very little, although she
recalled having heard that the young Fitzwilliam Darcy was formerly spoken of
as a proud, ill-tempered boy.
“So he said
he was denied the living the late Mr. Darcy promised him.” Mrs. Gardiner
affirmed, trying to understand.
“Aye. Mr.
Darcy disregarded his father’s will and condemned poor Mr. Wickham to a
life of poverty! He is always treating all of us with such contempt and disdain
that I do believe him capable of that and more!”
“My dear,
please reconsider your sentiments for your future husband. Do not allow your
admiration for Mr. Wickham to blind you.”
“What do you
mean?” Elizabeth
blush instantly.
Elizabeth’s reaction
to her statement proved Mrs. Gardiner that she had not missed the mark. In her
kindest voice, she attempted to put some sense into her niece’s head.
“Lizzy, you are too a sensible girl to merely fall in love with one man
just because he’s the enemy of the one you were forced to accept.
Seriously, I must put you on your guard on the imprudence of allowing any prior
sentiments you harboured for Mr. Wickham to interpose between you and your
future husband.”
“Aunt, I do
not love Mr Wickham just as I do not love Mr Darcy.” stated Elizabeth with
conviction.
“Then, if I
were you, I would not encourage his coming here so very often or listen to
every malicious word he says about your fiancée. It is not sound. You are
engaged to a man of great consequence, Lizzy, you must not let your fancy for a
red coat run away with you.”
Elizabeth offered her aunt a
self-conscious smile. “You are absolutely right, I should keep my
distance.”
“That would
be the wisest thing to do in this case. You have sense, my dear, and we all
expect you to use it. Mr. Wickham’s differences with Mr. Darcy should not
be of your concern.”
“Perhaps you
are in the right, but I cannot simply dismiss his accusations as if they had
never happened.” Elizabeth’s
dislike for her fiancée’s actions did not allow her to see her own faulty
behaviour. “If they are true, then that means I am to marry a most
unscrupulous man.”
“There is
always the possibility that Mr Darcy might have had some very good reasons
behind his actions that Mr. Wickham had failed to transmit. In doubting your
future husband’s character you are jeopardizing the felicity of your
marriage.”
“I cannot
think of a reason why an honourable man would deny another man what rightfully
belongs to him.”
“Lizzy, my
dear,” Mrs. Gardener stated sweetly yet firmly. “Mr. Darcy will
soon be your husband and your loyalty belongs to him. Do not enter into the
married state while doubting his honour. This is a matter you’ll have to
clarify sooner rather than later. ”
Elizabeth pondered her
aunt’s words and saw the wisdom of her advice. It was a subject of
delicate nature that should not be taken lightly. “Perhaps I should talk
to him before the wedding.”
“That would
be the best. I am glad I could be of service, Lizzy. Now if you would excuse
me, I must talk to your mother.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled and moved to the
other side of the room.
Elizabeth barely had time to
reflect on her aunt’s advice when Mr. Wickham approached her sporting a
most engaging smile.
“Miss Bennet,
finally I see you on your own. I have been waiting to talk to you since I
arrived at your house.”
She could not help
herself and smiled broadly at his gallantry. “Thank you, Sir. I have been
desirous to converse with you as well.”
“I’ve
heard the rumours of your engagement to Mr. Darcy. Allow me to offer you my
congratulations on your good fortune. I sincerely hope that you find more
happiness and prosperity than myself when joining the Darcy
family.”
Elizabeth shook her head,
her expression revealing her displeasure for her new stature. “Thank you,
Sir. I am sure that prosperity is something that I will always have after my
marriage, but I fear that happiness will be more difficult to
obtain.”
“Miss Bennet,
do not despair. Mr. Darcy can be very generous when he wants to be and this
marriage will situate you in a most advantageous position.”
“All the
wealth in the world cannot compensate the misery that grows from an unhappy
union,” she said with a sigh of resignation.
“I believe it
is only a matter of patience and cleverness. If you are smart as to overlook
his pride and haughtiness, you can obtain many
benefits from this alliance. I am sure Mr. Darcy he will treat you very well
and you will lack for nothing”
“That is what
everyone keeps telling me. I am not mercenary, sir. Money doesn’t buy
happiness.”
“Oh, madam,
you would be surprised of how much it helps,” Wickham said warmly.
Elizabeth returned his
smile, knowing that the officer had a point there. “I hope you are
right.”
“I know I am.
With time, you will accommodate yourself to your situation, I am sure. Perhaps
we can even see each other again in the future.” Wickham eyed her
suggestively as he bent to speak. “You know, sometimes, the happiness
that cannot be achieved in wedlock can be found elsewhere.”
Elizabeth felt an unpleasant
shudder coming up her spine as the officer came too near for comfort and
whispered those words close to her ear. She was not certain of what he meant
with this last statement, but she feared that his insinuation –and her
allowing him to express it-- had crossed the boundaries of decorum. She knew
the Twelfth Night was a night for recklessness, yet in this case, the gentleman
has taken his forwardness a bit too far. Did Mr. Wickham think she was a loose
woman? The entire village was acquainted with the inappropriate behaviour in
the woods with Mr. Darcy, so there was a chance that he would believe her
capable of some sort of indecency. Increasingly disturbed by this intelligence,
she decided to finally follow her aunt’s advice and end this conversation
as dignifiedly as possible.
“I am sure
that as soon as my future husband and I are better acquainted, our way to
felicity will be assured. Now if you will excuse me,” she made a quick
courtesy, “I must join my family.”
Wickham watched her
go, his self sufficient smile persisting on his lips. ‘I hope she makes you miserable, Darcy. She is so indignant with
you for forcing her into this marriage, that she might choose me as her lover
in the future. If I play my cards correctly, I will be soon enjoying the charms
of two Bennet sisters. With that thought, Wickham walked towards Mary King,
pausing only to give a lustful glance in Lydia Bennet’s direction.
As she walked away
from Wickham, Elizabeth caught sight of Charlotte entering the
house in the company of her new husband, who immediately left his wife and went
to greet the lady of the house. Having married Mr. Collins a fortnight before
and planning to depart for Hunsford in two days time, Charlotte barely had time to see her friend.
“Lizzy! It is
so very good to see you. I have heard your distinguished fiancée has been a
frequent guest at Longbourn the past weeks. Come,” she took her
friend’s hand and walked away from the crowd, “you must tell me all
there is to know.”
“There is not
much to say, he merely … visited me.” Elizabeth replied unenthusiastically.
“I see you
are still displeased with this wedding.” Charlotte shook her head at her
friend’s unrelenting and frankly nonsensical hatred for her future
husband. “You are such a fool, Lizzy, to persist in your dislike for a
man of Mr. Darcy’s consequence.”
“Charlotte, I do not love
him.”
“Love and
marriage only coincide in romantic novels, Lizzy. In ordinary life we cannot
expect to be that fortunate.”
Elizabeth was aware of her
friend’s rational nature yet she had imagined that the pragmatic Mrs
Collins would have at least developed some
feelings for her new husband since her wedding. “Are you not happy in
your marriage?”
Charlotte’s smile
faltered and lost all sincerity. “It has barely started, so I cannot say
much on that account. Mr. Collins is a good man, greatly devoted to his
clerical duties, who spends most of his time studying the texts and attending
his parish. I cannot complain. By the end of the day we have only spent five or
ten minutes together.” On seeing Elizabeth’s
sympathetic expression, Charlotte
added, “I may sound unromantic to you, Lizzy, but I find myself quite
content with my situation.”
“I’m
happy that you are, Charlotte.”
Elizabeth
secretly hoped that she would never feel the same way about her own spouse.
Although, for some reason, she feared her destiny would not far from that of
her friend’s.
“I am sure
you and Mr. Darcy will have a very happy union as well. Although I fear I must
put you on your guard about a very important matter: some members of Mr.
Darcy’s family are vehemently opposing to this marriage.”
“What
do you mean?” Elizabeth
frowned.
Charlotte glanced around to
be certain that no one could hear her. “Mr. Collins has let it drop to me
that Lady Catherine was quite incensed with the news of his engagement to you
and was travelling to London
this very week to talk Mr. Darcy out of what she thought was a folly on his
part.”
“Oh.”
Elizabeth was at
loss of words. She had never expected that Darcy’s family would oppose
the match.
“She claims
that Mr. Darcy is betrothed to her daughter, Miss Ann de Bourgh. Apparently,
their marriage had been planned from their cradles.”
Seemingly
distressed with this notion, Elizabeth
was quick to reply. “Yes, I heard that before, though I never knew it to
be a definitive fact. If Mr. Darcy is neither by
honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why would he not marry someone
else?”
Charlotte’s eyebrows
arched up in astonishment. This was a most unexpected turn. Was Eliza softening
to this marriage? Did her friend find her betrothed less repulsive now that
someone else was claiming her ownership on him? Charlotte
let out a chuckle at her friend’s hypocrisy and wondered how much truth
there was in Elizabeth’s
affirmations about hating Mr. Darcy.
“I was merely
stating that your marriage might start on the wrong foot. Do not worry,
Lizzy. Mr. Darcy will marry you and only
you.” Charlotte
teased her friend.
This comment only
served to puzzle Elizabeth
even more. Charlotte
had always succeeded in unsettling her and making her doubt her own feelings
for her disagreeable fiancée.
Mrs. Collins,
noticing her friend’s confusion, decided not to insist on this delicate
subject and chose another one of which she was interested in learning more.
“And
how is Jane doing? Is she still suffering the loss of Mr. Bingley?”
“I am afraid
she is. Jane has been so sad since he left. I don’t know if she will be able
to forget him.”
“I
am sorry it went off. But these things
happen so often, Lizzy. Men such as Mr. Bingley easily fall in love with a
pretty girl for a few weeks, and when some circumstance draw them apart they
forget them quite as easily. I am sorry for Jane because, with her temperament,
she may not get over it immediately.”
“My suspicion
is that in this case there was no accident. I believe they were officiously
separated.”
“Do you mean
by his sisters?”
“And his
friend.” Elizabeth
stated resentfully.
“The man you
are about to marry in about two weeks,” Charlotte stated, slightly crossed at her
friend’s incapability to see the benefits that this union would bring to
her and the rest of her family. “You are such a simpleton, Lizzy. This is
a great opportunity that you cannot miss! You must talk to Mr. Darcy and
acquaint him with your sister’s feelings for Mr. Bingley! I am most sure
he would help you to reunite them!”
“I have tried
before, Charlotte,
but he has avoided the matter thus far. I believe that Mr. Bingley is very far
away now. He is not coming for the wedding either.”
At that
moment, Mrs. Bennet called her daughter and Elizabeth and Charlotte dropped
their conversation to join Elizabeth’s
mother and listen to her rambling about her daughter’s upcoming nuptials.
“Lady
Catherine de Bourgh, Sir,” the footman announced.
Darcy turned around and
squared his shoulders, readying himself for the declaration of war that would
surely derive from this meeting. His aunt rarely left Rosings, and Darcy was
very much aware of the reason that would compel the capricious and
authoritarian Lady Catherine de Bourgh to leave her estate and come as far as London without previous
invitation or announcement.
“Lady Catherine.”
He bowed when his aunt entered the room. “I hope you had a pleasant trip.
You are very welcome.”
“I must
warn you, Darcy, this is not a courtesy visit.” She began in a very
imposing tone, obviating greetings and politeness. “I report of alarming
nature reached me a week ago. I have been told that you, my nephew, are engaged
to be married to a girl from Hertfordshire.”
“You were well informed.
I am engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I plan to marry her by the end of the
month.”
“Darcy, this cannot be!
You are engaged to my Anne!”
“No, Aunt, I am
not.” Darcy stood firm, facing his aunt with resolute air. “It has
never been a wish of mine to spouse my cousin nor have I encouraged the
supposition that such event would ever take place. Whatever reason you have to believe that it
has been in my mind to marry her is purely an assumption of yours.”
Lady Catherine was all
astonishment at this declaration. “You cannot deny it has been a
favourite wish of your mother as well as mine. By not humouring to our designs
you are going against the express desires of your friends and family! I demand
that you dissolve this betrothal to this woman of lower birth and announce,
once and for all, your engagement to my daughter.”
The gentleman
commanded himself to remain civil at his aunt’s irreverent plea.
“Lady Catherine. Much as I would like to honour my mother’s wish, I
am very much attached to Miss Bennet. I have given my word and I will not
withdraw it.”
“Do not dare to defy me, young man. I am
acquainted with who this Elizabeth Bennet is and what transpired during your
interlude. How could you forget yourself in that manner? Are you lost to every
feeling of propriety and delicacy?” cried her Ladyship. “I
understand, though. I have seen more than one young man seduced by the arts and
allurements of these young ladies with upstart pretensions of name and fortune.
I can see this Miss Bennet has played her cards well. I thought that you were
above such weakness, Darcy.”
Darcy took a deep
breath in an attempt to control the indignation that his aunt’s words
provoked in him. “You are misconstruing the facts, madam. My feelings for
Miss Bennet are of an entirely different nature.”
“That is what you
believe now that your ardour still governs you. She is a woman of inferior
stature, nephew, of no importance in the world. She would never fit among us.
She will never be able to acquire the finesse and sophistication that only
comes when born in privilege. If you were sensible of your own good, you would
not wish to remove her from the sphere in which she has been brought up.”
Darcy hesitated
before replying, his aunt’s words expressing fears that he had not yet
allowed himself to admit. “I do not consider her situation beneath that
of mine. She is a gentleman’s daughter. So far we are equal.”
“True. But who is
her mother? Who are her uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me
ignorant of their condition.”
“Lady
Catherine,” he said, close to the point of losing his patience, unwilling
to discuss Elizabeth’s
connections with his aunt. That would be an argument that he may not be able to
win. “I will marry Miss Bennet regardless of what you or the others might
say.”
“I will not
be interrupted!” Lady Catherine stomped her walking stick on the floor.
“Can you not see how this alliance will disgrace you in the eyes of every
body? You will be slighted, censored! Your name, and hers, would never be
mentioned by any of us.”
“Those are
great misfortunes indeed. Whatever her connections may be, if I do not object
them, they can be nothing on you.”
Her ladyship was highly
incensed by this affirmation. “Have you thought of your sister? Have you
stopped to consider the consequences that your actions will have on her? Can
you not see? Georgiana will be out in two years! Do you want her to be laughed
at? Make her the contempt of the world because of this unfortunate
relation?”
“Enough!”
He raised his voice, his remaining composure lost at his aunt’s vicious
attack. “You have insulted me and my fiancée with every possible method.
I must beg to be importuned no farther in the subject.”
Lady Catherine was stubborn
and liked to have her own way but by no means was she stupid or inexperienced.
On seeing that her nephew stood his ground, she softened her tone and tried a
different approach. “Darcy, I know that you will not come to your senses
now, but once you are tired of her, you shall see your mistake. This passion
you now feel will wear off within the first year of marriage. I am sure that,
by then you will finally realize the inadequacy of this woman. A man of your
connections and influence can obtain an annulment easily enough.”
“I am sorry to
disappoint you, but in marrying Miss Bennet, I shall not find cause to
repine.”
“Are you then
determined to have her?” Lady Catherine looked seriously displeased.
“I am.”
“I had hoped
to find you reasonable. But, depend upon it, I will carry my
point.” She turned around and left the room.
This extraordinary visit had
left Darcy in such discomposure of spirits that he could hardly think of
anything else. Lady Catherine had just enumerated each one of Darcy’s
fears that he had not dared, until now, to admit to himself. She had just
addressed him on his weakest side and thrown the evils attached to this connection
right at his face. Still he was ready to fight and face this misstep with his
head high. He was certain of his affection for Elizabeth and absolutely sure that this
sentiment would never fade. But, would that be enough? Would his love for her
be strong enough to survive the rejection of an entire society? He knew he
would be able to overcome these struggles, but could he expect this same
fortitude from his future wife?
Would she
fit into his world?