The Engagement Read online

  “I shall be well tomorrow,” Elizabeth insisted. “I need some time to rest, that is all.”

  He moved from his chair, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. He carefully put his arms around her. Elizabeth snuggled into his chest, even though she knew that she should tell him to sit away from her so he would not become sick from the close contact with her.

  “My selfish actions brought illness on you,” he murmured against her hair.

  Elizabeth began to feel impatient with his self-castigating but did not say a word, enjoying his embrace.

  “No long walks after you return to health,” he said, to her regret moving away from her, sitting back on his chair. “Not until the weather improves.”

  “We can sit in a park,” she proposed.

  He shook his head. “It is too cold.”

  Elizabeth had a different opinion, but she decided it was not a good moment to present it. In a few days they would surely go for a walk together. Darcy would not stand sitting in a drawing room together with Mrs. Bennet for more than one day.

  “Would you like me to read to you?” he asked. “I bought some new books. I do not believe that you are familiar with them.”

  Elizabeth listened to him reading the account of a journey to the East Indies until it was dark. Then Jane returned with tea. Despite Elizabeth’s protest, she told Darcy that her sister needed her rest and that it would be best for him to go now and return tomorrow.

  As soon as Darcy said his goodbyes, Elizabeth turned on her sister. “You were barely polite to him, Jane,” she accused.

  “You became sick because of him, Lizzy.”

  “Nonsense, Jane. Colds are quite common this time of the year.”

  “You have not been ill for the last three or four years,” Jane argued. “Had he not dragged you around the fields and pastures many hours a day in cold and sometimes rain, you would have been fine.”

  “He only wished for us to be alone. You very well know that it is difficult to have privacy in this home.”

  “In a few months you will be married and he will have as much privacy as he could wish for. He risked your health for his own selfish reasons. He should have known better than that.”

  Elizabeth was silent as she drank her tea. She tried to put herself in Jane’s position. If it had been Mr. Bingley who had made her sister sick, she would not have been pleased with him either.

  “He regrets it,” Elizabeth said.

  “Oh, I know that he does,” Jane countered. “I made certain of that.”

  “What did you tell him, exactly?”

  “That you might have developed bronchitis or even pneumonia.”

  “That is absurd!”

  “Is it, Lizzy? Were you of a weaker constitution, I do not know how it would end.”

  Elizabeth could see that Jane was convinced that she was right, and that Darcy was not her favourite person in the world today.

  As the evening came, Elizabeth began to feel much better. She even wished to go downstairs to join the family for dinner, but Jane insisted that she should stay in her room. Nevertheless, she left the bed and had a warm meal with Jane at the small table which usually served as the writing desk.

  Mr. Bennet visited her for some time, the same as Mary and Kitty. Even Mrs. Bennet spent a quarter of an hour with her. She talked mostly about Mr. Darcy and how generous he was, having delivered exotic fruit not only for her but also for the entire family once he learned that she was sick. Elizabeth was surprised that she had come at all to see her. She had never been accustomed to tend to any of her daughters when they had been unwell, leaving it to the nursemaids or their housekeeper, Hill. Elizabeth suspected that her mother’s unusual behaviour had its source in the fact that she would become Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley in little over two months.

  ***

  Much to Darcy’s joy and relief, Elizabeth returned to health within a few days. She was unable to convince him that she felt well enough to resume their long walks, however. They strolled Longbourn’s small park, but he refused to go any farther.

  After a week of sitting inside Longbourn in the company of Mrs. Bennet and all the girls, Darcy began to escape to the library, spending hours with Mr. Bennet. It did not please Elizabeth because, although he was close, she had no opportunity to talk with him, and they had very little private time.

  Mrs. Bennet was engrossed in preparations of the double wedding which was to take place on the last Sunday of December. As she had no opportunity to participate in Lydia’s wedding, who had been married hastily and secretly in London, away from family and friends, she wanted to be certain that this time the entire neighbourhood would see how well her two eldest daughters were marrying.

  Elizabeth was not particularly interested in the vast preparations, and allowed her mother and Jane to decide. There was only one matter which Elizabeth disagreed with: A trip to London to order dresses, which Mrs. Bennet insisted on and Jane quietly encouraged, seemed unnecessary. Elizabeth thought that the local seamstress that usually sewed most of their dresses would be capable enough to make two wedding gowns for Jane and her. However, Mrs. Bennet was unyielding in that respect, claiming that only in London they could find the right materials and skilled enough seamstress.

  A letter was sent to the Gardiners announcing the arrival of Mrs. Bennet together with Jane and Elizabeth in the first days of November. Mrs. Gardiner, known for her elegance and good taste, was to advice her nieces on the appropriate choices. Apart from the wedding gowns, which in the future might also be used as ball gowns, Elizabeth and Jane were each to receive four new day dresses, as well as matching spencers, hats, gloves, shoes, numerous stockings, petticoats, nightgowns, and shifts.

  Both Elizabeth and Jane were well aware that it was much expense to their parents, but when they tried to mention it to their mother, she shushed them down. Mrs. Bennet insisted that they were not beggars, and that how they presented themselves was of the utmost importance. Specifically, she claimed that the servants at Pemberley should not think that Elizabeth was not fit to be their mistress if, while unpacking her trunks, they were filled with old dresses and threadbare petticoats.

  Darcy was most pleased when he heard about the trip to London. He wished to show Elizabeth his ‘modest townhouse’, as he described it. Elizabeth doubted whether they understood the word ‘modest’ in the same way in this case, but nevertheless she was eager to see it.

  October came to an end and Elizabeth and Jane were to spend one of the last days before their journey to London at Netherfield, on the excuse that Jane needed to decide what changes she wanted to introduce in the house.

  They arrived at Netherfield quite early in the morning. Both Darcy and Mr. Bingley awaited them in front of the house as usual.

  Elizabeth easily guessed that Darcy wished to engage her entire attention from the time she walked through the threshold. She decided, though, that it was a good opportunity to keep Georgiana’s company for a longer time than a short conversation. Elizabeth felt that she should do a much better effort at befriending Darcy’s sister. So far, however, it had been a challenge, as most of her time was occupied by Darcy himself.

  Today, ignoring Darcy’s looks and the longing in his eyes, she sat with Georgiana. Mrs. Annesley retired to her room upstairs, while Bingley and Jane were alone, touring the house, looking at the improvements that should be made.

  As they drank tea and partook in refreshments, Elizabeth did her best to engage the young girl in conversation. “I did not have the opportunity to ask you, but please tell me if you are enjoying yourself in here.”

  “Oh, yes, everyone is so very kind to me. I do like spending time at Longbourn with Kitty and Mary.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I am glad to hear that. I wish for you and I to spend more time with each other, though. I am sorry that so far I have had so little time for you.”

  “I do understand that you need to spend time with Brother,” Georgiana assured. “He is very happy, and I am so pleased for hi
m. I have never seen him so.” The last words she spoke in a lower voice, presumably to prevent Darcy from overhearing her as he sat brooding by the window with a book in his hand.

  “And I do hope that no one or nothing upset you during your stay here,” Elizabeth said, carefully observing Georgiana’s face. “The company in here must differ from what you are accustomed to.”

  “It does,” Georgiana answered honestly. “I never had many friends or a large company around myself. Since I can remember, it has always just been Brother and I. I do not remember my mother, and Papa had been sick since I was a small child, not leaving his rooms much. There were no cousins my age to play with. But here, there is so much to do every day. Kitty always has delightful ideas on how we should spend our time, while Mary is always willing to practise pianoforte together. Mrs. Bennet is very kind as well, always asking whether I am hungry or needing something.”

  Elizabeth could see that Georgiana was speaking honestly from her heart, and truly believed it. Perhaps what was often tiring and annoying for Elizabeth, making her escape on her long walks, seemed desirable and attractive for Georgiana, who had had a rather lone existence so far. She could also see that, due to her young age, the girl was enamoured with this new, different life in a house always filled with people and activity, not being able to look at it from a more critical point of view.

  Elizabeth was glad that Georgiana had taken so well to life at Longbourn. However, she could guess that before long Georgiana would become tired with the constant chatter and company. It was good then that they would spend the next weeks in London, before returning to Derbyshire after their wedding.

  As Georgiana had not mentioned Wickham’s name even once, Elizabeth decided not to question her about him. She was certain that Georgiana must have heard about the man during her stay in Hertfordshire. Nevertheless, she did not give the impression of being upset, or having any care about it. Mrs. Bennet happened to mention Lydia and ‘dear Wickham’ as she referred to him from time to time, but as Georgiana spent her days in the company of Mary and Kitty, she was sure that her younger sisters did not mention Lydia or her husband very often.

  Mary and Lydia had never seen eye to eye, being so very different in every aspect that it was difficult to believe that they were indeed sisters. As for Kitty, even though she was closest in age to Lydia, and they had always kept one another’s company, there had never been a true bond between them. Lydia had been always very selfish and quite often unkind, ignoring Kitty in public once the officers were around as well as openly boasting to be Mrs. Bennet’s favourite and second-beautiful in the family only after Jane. Thus, it was not a surprise to Elizabeth that once Lydia left first for Brighton, and later for Newcastle with Wickham, Kitty did not seem to miss her much and rarely mentioned her in everyday conversation.

  Mr. Bennet, who after Lydia’s elopement decided that it was high time to exercise more control over Kitty, forbade her from attending any social gatherings this autumn. She could go only if she was in the company of Elizabeth or Jane, and she was not allowed to dance with any young men. But as Georgiana was not out yet in the world, and could not attend any parties or gatherings, Kitty preferred to spend time together with her new sister.

  Elizabeth could not wish a better companion for Kitty and Mary than Georgiana. She had noticed that at first her sisters were a little reserved with the newcomer. Mary felt intimidated, as she had heard how accomplished Georgiana was and how well she played the pianoforte, while Kitty was a bit wary, as never in her life had she met such a distinguished and well-dressed young lady.

  Georgiana wore mainly white and pale blue and other pastel colours suiting her delicate features, fair skin, pale blonde hair, blue eyes, and most importantly her young age. Her dresses were simple, sometimes even severe in cut, without bows and frills, but the materials were so very fine and the design so fashionable that there was no doubt that they had come straight from one of the best dressmakers in Bond Street. However, despite their initial caution, Kitty and Mary quickly recognised that Georgiana was sweet and shy, never putting on airs or looking down at them because of her wealth. On the contrary, she seemed to crave their company and feel genuinely honoured when they offered it. When within a few days since Georgiana’s arrival it became obvious that she did not mind sharing her music sheets and ribbons, the fast friendship was forged without much delay.

  For the rest of the afternoon Georgiana and Elizabeth talked quietly, and later played the pianoforte together, not being disturbed by anyone. Darcy, who was first engrossed in a book, later began writing letters. He was very quiet, which was not unusual for him. Elizabeth, however, wondered whether he was disappointed that on the day when they could spend time alone she chose his sister over him, or perhaps he did not wish to disturb their interaction. Jane and Bingley chose to abandon the company entirely and for many hours. Elizabeth did not mind, as she would have done the same with Darcy if not for Georgiana.

  At last, around four in the afternoon, Jane returned with a red face and a beaming Bingley right behind her. Elizabeth looked discreetly at her elder sister, noticing how pleased Jane looked. While Jane was smiling softly, her whole person glowing, Bingley had such a wide smile on his face that it began to look unnatural after a few minutes. Elizabeth noticed how Darcy rolled his eyes at the ridiculous faces that Bingley wore sitting by Jane’s side. Elizabeth knew that Darcy had a sense of humour, even though he disliked showing it openly. She was on a mission to change that. Her man needed to laugh more.

  As the nights were dark and moonless, Jane and Elizabeth planned to return home before dinner, leaving not later than at five o’clock. Their plans were postponed, as shortly after four it started to rain so heavily that both Bingley and Darcy protested against travelling in such weather. Elizabeth tried to reason with them, saying that it was only four miles of straight and even road, but Darcy especially was adamant, claiming that even a few miles in such conditions were dangerous. When Jane supported him shyly, claiming that Mama would surely agree with Mr. Darcy that they should not take unnecessary risks, Elizabeth had no other choice but to agree.

  The whole company spent a very pleasant evening, eating a good dinner and later enjoying Georgiana’s music, who with quiet encouragement from Elizabeth agreed to play for everyone.

  As the ladies were tired, especially Jane, the company retired upstairs before ten o’clock. Elizabeth was placed in the same room that she had stayed in when she had been nursing Jane. It was difficult not to draw comparisons between the present moment and what had been a year ago. If a fortune teller had told her back then that at the same time next year her eldest sister would be making preparations for a wedding with Mr. Bingley, she would not have been at all astonished. However, she would have laughed at hearing about the possibility of her and Darcy’s engagement. She had strongly believed that he hated her, that he had looked at her only to criticize, that he had despised her whole being.

  Shaking her head at how surprising life could be, she prepared herself for the night. Georgiana was kind enough to lend both her and Jane nightclothes, including gowns with matching robes and even slippers, all items looking as if they had never been worn before. Elizabeth wondered for a moment how many sets of unworn clothing the young girl had.

  It was close to eleven when Elizabeth put the candles down and climbed into a four-poster bed. Sleep could not come to her, though. Usually when she could not fall asleep it was helpful to read a few chapters of a book that was not overly riveting. For a moment she considered going downstairs to the library in order to pick something, but she rejected it quickly, doubting that she would find anything interesting to read there. Moreover, leaving the warm bed was not her priority, especially on such a cold night.

  Soon after the clock struck eleven, there was a knock on the door. Without any hesitation, Elizabeth ran to the bed, thinking that it was surely Jane, or perhaps even Georgiana, even though she doubted that the young girl would find the courage to pay such a l
ate-night visit.

  Chapter Six

  Her face broke into a wide smile when on her doorstep she saw Darcy dressed casually, without his neck cloth and vest, wearing only a shirt and coat.

  “Were you sleeping?” he asked quietly.

  Shaking her head, she mouthed, “No.”

  “Put on your robe and slippers.”

  Without questioning him she did as she was told, returning to him quickly. He took her hand in his, leading her across the corridor towards the staircase.

  “Where are we going?” she whispered.

  He squeezed her hand but said nothing, putting a finger to his lips. Suddenly they heard the sound of an opening door. Darcy reacted quickly, pulling Elizabeth into a darkened corner behind a tall armoire, hiding her completely from view with his large body.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened at what she saw, craning her neck to see past Darcy’s arm. Mr. Bingley was leaving her sister’s bedchamber. She opened her mouth, a gasp escaping from it, when Darcy covered the lover part of her face with his hand, lifting his finger once again to his lips, silencing her.

  Elizabeth watched with fascination as Jane appeared in the doorway, pulling Mr. Bingley down for a thorough and passionate kiss. It was not a situation that she would ever expect to see her sister in. The exchange between lovers lasted for a moment longer before Mr. Bingley was pulled back inside and the door was closed with a not-so-quiet click.

  Darcy stepped away from her. He reclaimed her hand, moving them from their hiding place.

  Elizabeth allowed herself to be led downstairs, not minding where they were going. She did not consider herself an overly prudish person. Nevertheless, what she had just witnessed in the darkened corridor astounded her.

  It was pitch-dark downstairs, and she could barely recognise which room they were going toward. At last he opened one of the doors, leading her inside. The library was warm and inviting, lit by the buzzing fireplace and a few thick candles.