Darcy's Folly: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jane Grix

Author:Jane Grix
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Read, Forced Marriage, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms
Publisher: Jane Grix
Published: 2016-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Mrs. Bennet greeted Elizabeth with effusion. “Oh, Lizzy, you dear girl,” she cried, hugging her. “Mr. Darcy! I can hardly believe it. Ten thousand pounds a year and likely more. He is as good as a Lord. What pin money you will have! What jewels!” She then noticed the bandage on her ankle. “It doesn’t hurt too badly, does it? Do you think you will need a crutch in the church or will your father’s arm be sufficient? Not that it matters, really. The important thing is getting that ring on your finger. Mrs. Darcy. How good that sounds, don’t you think? Oh, and I have already picked out a wedding dress, but you can decide on the lace.”

A servant carried her inside and Mr. Bennet said, “Before you determine the lace, Mrs. Bennet, I must speak to our daughter privately.”

“Oh, yes, to be sure,” Mrs. Bennet twittered. “But pray do not scold her too harshly for staying out all night, when she has managed to catch such a marvellous husband.”

“Lizzy?” her father said, and Elizabeth joined him in the library.

Mr. Bennet closed the door behind him. “Tell me all that happened,” he said gently.

Elizabeth told him everything, including her slapping Mr. Darcy’s face.

Mr. Bennet smiled briefly at that, but said only, “Go on.”

By the time she got to the part about Lady Baelhorn, his face was grave. “Even I, who do not follow Town gossip, have heard of Lady Baelhorn. Your mother and Mrs. Philips are amateurs in comparison.”

“Then is the situation as bad as Mr. Darcy thought it was?”

“Yes, your reputation is ruined, and his is tarnished as well.”

“I never thought of that,” she said.

“No, a gentleman’s reputation, especially when he is wealthy, is more resilient. There will be rumours of his despoiling you, and some sticklers might not invite him to their homes, but society in general will look the other way. No, Darcy has offered for you out of duty, not self-preservation.”

Elizabeth said, “I don’t want to marry him. Could you send me away somewhere?”

“What, to live out your life in rented rooms, with no family, no friends?”

She bit her lip. He made her future sound desperate.

“Not to mention what it will do to your sisters. Jane will find a husband. She is so beautiful, someone will want her, regardless of the family name. But who would take the others? No, if you don’t marry Mr. Darcy, I am afraid none of them will marry unless I find a way to make them drip with diamonds.”

Elizabeth knew he was trying to find humour in the situation. She smiled weakly. “So I don’t have a choice?”

‘Not much of one, no.”

Elizabeth sniffed, trying to hold back tears. “I don’t like him, Papa.”

“Frankly, neither do I. He is a proud, unpleasant sort of man. But his letter was well written. He apologized and took full responsibly for the situation. He is determined to take care of you and promises a very generous settlement. You will be a wealthy woman, Lizzy.

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