Elizabeth d'Arcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Florence Gold

Author:Florence Gold [Gold, Florence]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Florence Gold
Published: 2024-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Elizabeth and Darcy entered the music room at a distance that left no doubts to any interested eye that there would be not a second betrothal that evening. The disappointment could be read on Lady Antoinette’s face as she looked for Mrs Bennet to see if she felt the same.

They had a short conversation while Mr Bennet, Mr Robertson and the colonel left for the library to enjoy a cognac and a cigar. Lady Antoinette had discovered in Mrs Bennet a lady mostly lacking in sophistication, as Darcy had depicted her, but far from being witless. She understood Lady Antoinette’s allusions about certain feelings that seemed to be flourishing between Mr Darcy and her daughter and agreed with any plan her ladyship might have.

“Do not worry about Mr Bingley,” Lady Antoinette said at the end of their conversation. “He will do the appropriate thing, of course, if Miss Bennet will accept.”

“She will, I am sure she will!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed, and the prospect of that long-awaited marriage delighted her.

A second marriage and to such a preeminent family was more than Mrs Bennet had hoped for. But as with anything regarding Elizabeth, she did not have great hopes. Her daughter was a complete enigma to her and her actions impossible to anticipate.

But when Jane returned with a lost smile on her face, happiness overwhelmed Mrs Bennet to the point that she forgot about Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. With Jane married, many of their worries would disappear and that was all that mattered that evening.

Not long after Mr Bennet had consented to the marriage, they all gathered around Jane and Bingley, each eager to congratulate the couple. Even the timid Georgiana entered into the spirit of happiness and congratulated Jane as though they had known each other for a long time.

Mr Robertson was invited to say a few words and with his usual kindness he wished the newly betrotheds a long and happy journey together.

Mr Bennet’s joy was hard to imagine. It sprang from his love for his eldest daughter, who had brought their family only happiness since the first time she had smiled. But he also secretly enjoyed the peace that came from knowing that from that moment on, the future for all his dear ladies was brighter. He smiled, remembering how he had had to help the poor gentleman to make his request, as he had been terrified that Mr Bennet might still be angry with him for his ‘betrayal’, as he had called his departure last November. But then, as soon as he had obtained his future father-in-law’s acceptance, they had discussed the matter of the marriage settlement and the tradesman’s son was back, as he knew exactly what to say. He needed no dowry and he assured his future father-in-law that Jane’s family would be his, solemnly pledging to take care of all the ladies.

So when Elizabeth and Darcy came into the room, apart from Lady Antoinette no one paid them a moment’s notice.

After a while, Georgiana approached them and Darcy left the two ladies alone.

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