Elizabeth had been in London only a week when her mother revealed the surprise she meant to save for their return to Pemberley.
She and her sisters were sitting in her favorite room at Bennet House, the brightly decorated drawing room.
Lady Francine’s body shook with glee, her hands clasped before her. “We shall have a double wedding the day after the ball, ladies. The Earl of Carrick has spoken with your father as we expected and asked for our Janey’s hand.”
Jane’s countenance was one of surprise and relief though Elizabeth knew she had fully expected Alec Buchanan to propose before the new year. It was all Jane had spoken of since Elizabeth’s return to Bennet House in Grosvenor.
Turning to her mother after Jane’s tears of happiness had ceased, Elizabeth asked which of her other sisters had received a proposal. It would be a surprise, for not one of them had spoken of a beau since her return to London.
Lady Francine smiled and spoke in a mysterious manner. “We will meet your groom later, Lizzy. He will come for dinner and declare himself to you afterwards.”
Elizabeth struggled to draw a breath after the words your groom. The room was silent for a full minute after her mother spoke. Then her sisters surrounded her demanding to know who the man was and why she had kept it a secret from them.
Only Jane hung back and looked at Elizabeth with dread. Ignoring Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, Elizabeth rose and went to Jane, her eyes giving away the realization that had dawned upon her as air filled her lungs again.
Elizabeth whispered desperately. “It cannot be. I will never marry him!”
Jane took Elizabeth’s hands in her own, cradling them gently. “It must be Lizzy, for what man of our circle has not asked for your hand already and been turned away for seeking only your fortune?”
Elizabeth pulled free of Jane’s grasp and turned to their mother, who sat happily satisfied that two of her daughters would wed by Christmas Day and to titled men. “Mother, I do hope you and Father have thought this matter over carefully. If it is my cousin from Manchester, I will not marry him. I would rather be disowned than submit to that foolish excuse for a duke. I do not love him and you well know it.”
Lady Francine rose from her seat and glared at her second eldest daughter. “You will marry him, Lizzy! You will become a duchess. The matter is settled.”
Elizabeth stalked from the drawing room and went in search of her father. There was no use wasting words on her mother, she would never see reason.
All her mother desired was to have the titles of countess and duchess for her two eldest daughters. Such a coup would assure that Elizabeth’s younger sisters would also marry where their mother demanded, save perhaps poor Mary whose looks and pious nature were sure to save her from such a fate.
Mr. Bennet was obscured in a fine wreath of fragrant smoke when Elizabeth pushed open his study door. He was most pleased when alone in his inner sanctum and Elizabeth could find no fault with that choice. Especially today.
She went to sit across from him. He placed his cigar in the crystal tray he used for its ashes and rubbed one hand down his face, cupping his chin as he stared at her at last. Neither spoke for a moment but when words came, it was from both at once.
“Mother has said he will seek my hand tonight. I will not marry him Papa for he is an idiot…”
“I know, I know. I am against the match your mother insists upon…”
Mr. Bennet held up his hand to gain Elizabeth’s silence before he continued in jest. “An unhappy alternative is before you, my daughter. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry the duke, and I will never see you again if you do."
Elizabeth crossed her arms and glared at her beloved father. “Although I usually find cause to laugh when in your presence, Papa, I am not amused. Why did you not warn me? I could have found a better man to marry had I known.”
“Your mother has long said that you all must marry for title and rank, my dear. Certainly you did not think she would refuse the offer of a duke for the hand of one of her daughters? She only wishes it was Jane who would be the duchess. And you have turned down many a young man better than Collins.” Mr. Bennet retrieved his cigar and began to make the rings that would wreath his head again after she left him.
Elizabeth appealed to him in the way she knew best, she gave a challenge. “You are the head of this family, though Mother attempts to undercut your authority at every turn. You must tell my cousin that I am already promised elsewhere. I will find a suitable gentleman to marry, one that I could love and respect.”
Mr. Bennet gave a hearty laugh and stood, his hand out before him in the timeless gesture of sealing a bargain. Elizabeth took it and shook with vigor.
“I grant you a fortnight my dear for I cannot delay longer. And I will not tell him you are promised elsewhere until it is indeed the truth. Your mother may be harder to put off than your cousin for she wishes to leave soon for Pemberley in order to plan this double wedding and ball. I am surprised she has not had our trunks packed to leave at dawn.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply, relieved for the moment that time had been granted to her. “How will you delay giving your blessing when my cousin proposes after dinner?”
Mr. Bennet smiled serenely. “It is not I who must find a way to put the man off, remember?”
Understanding his point, Elizabeth thanked her father for what help he had offered and quit his study.
She called for a carriage to be brought round. The butler stepped quickly to do his mistress’ bidding but gave her a warning first. “Your mother is still in the drawing room. Best you hurry on your errand.”
Did the whole of the house know she was to be proposed to this evening? But of course. Her mother could never keep news from anyone including the servants.
Rushing outside as the thought of her cousin’s unwanted proposal loomed in her mind, Elizabeth climbed aboard her carriage and called for the driver to take her to Bingley House. Her dear friends would surely know what must be done.
Caroline welcomed Elizabeth to the home she had persuaded Bingley to purchase after their sister Louisa had married, and led her to the parlor where they might sit for a time before dinner.
Elizabeth was impatient and could not sit. She paced for several minutes before Bingley arrived and came to greet her with his usual delight. “Dear Eliza, what has brought you by this evening? It will be wonderful to have you stay for dinner.”
She shook her head. “I cannot stay for Mother has managed to ruin my life. If I avoid dinner at home, she will surely send someone to fetch me.”
Caroline was accustomed to Elizabeth’s dramatic pronouncements when it came to her mother. “I believe you might rather dine with us since it is the Darcys and Fitzwilliams we are expecting. Your mother will forgive you for missing dinner at home.”
Elizabeth meant to ask why the Darcys had come, but the matter that had brought her to Bingley House was of greater importance. “Ordinarily Mother certainly would not care, but tonight I am to be pawned off on my cousin, the duke. He has come to ask Papa for my hand.”
Caroline gasped. “Oh Eliza, this is wonderful news! You shall become a duchess and live in a lovely country estate! And the townhouse on Wimpole, you must not forget that. I cannot believe I may visit you there as often as I like!”
Elizabeth glared at her friend. “I care not for his fancy homes and all his money. I could never accept him as my husband for he is daft and far too fond of his own opinion. At dinner this evening, he will do little more than dominate the conversation with inconsequential things like the number of crystal chandeliers which hang in his home in Manchester and the cost of each. I cannot bear it.”
Bingley laughed. “He is a boring chap. I could never imagine Eliza married to him.”
Elizabeth could not laugh with her friend, but she appreciated his camaraderie. “You should come to dinner with me tonight, Charles. Just smile at me with those puppy dog eyes you used on Miss Darcy, but speak of your fondness for me instead. You may put him off proposing if he thinks I am in love with you.”
Bingley shook his head. “Your mother would have me removed without delay, Eliza. And you would need to employ those puppy dog eyes in order to convince the duke that you love me. In any case, what will you do when he proposes? Surely your father will listen to your pleas.”
“Papa did say I have a fortnight to find another suitor. Mother is to return to Pemberley and plan a double wedding,” Elizabeth said, her hands clasped before her.
Before Elizabeth could continue, the butler of Bingley House entered the parlor with Mr. Darcy, his sister, and the Fitzwilliams. The butler looked at Bingley as the man stood. “Your guests, sir. Cook has said dinner will be served soon.”
Bingley stood and went happily to greet them forgetting all about Elizabeth and her troubles. Caroline rose and waited for her friend to join her. “You are welcome to stay, my dear. Surely your mother will not send a footman to kidnap you and take you home to Grosvenor.”
Elizabeth gave her friend a most terrible scowl, but hissed her words instead of speaking loudly where the others might overhear. “You do know my mother, Caro. I would not be surprised to see her do just such a thing.”
“I shall send your driver back to say that you were unable to resist the invitation as our guests are highly esteemed and terribly wealthy,” Caroline said and waved away Elizabeth’s concern.
The other dinner guests came further into the parlor and Elizabeth greeted them, behaving as though she was thrilled to make their acquaintance again in London.
Truth be told, her heart did lift at the sight of Mr. Darcy. He was even more handsome in the Bingleys parlor. He wore a jewel-toned vest beneath his waistcoat and his cravat was spotless. Elizabeth kept her countenance serene as she greeted the Darcys and Fitzwilliams.
“How nice to see you in Town, Mr. Darcy,” she said as Miss Darcy followed behind the Fitzwilliams who had moved to sit with the Bingleys after the introductions were made.
“Likewise, Miss Bennet. I had hoped we might meet again. Mr. Bingley invited us to dinner when he and I met at my uncle’s warehouse.” Mr. Darcy smiled warmly as his eyes remained fixed upon her own.
Elizabeth found herself curious as to the connection of his uncle to Bingley. “Is your uncle in Trade? I did not know that Charles had so many friends from his father’s business.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “It is my understanding that your friend Bingley and my Uncle Fitzwilliam have business ties, but I am not sure of the nature and would not like to disclose any of their secrets.”
She smiled. “But of course. I do not pry into Bingley’s business either. He does as he pleases. So the colonel is your Uncle Fitzwilliam’s son?”
“Yes, Richard is the youngest and James, who had other plans tonight, is the eldest. He works in the warehouse with his father so that he might someday take over the family business, such as it is. Richard may help when he has served out his commission.”
Elizabeth was intrigued. One son in trade and the other an officer in His Majesty’s service. She wished to know more about the Fitzwilliams and their fortune made in trade, but it was none of her business and she was only truly interested in Mr. Darcy.
Before she might question the man about his own mother and father, the butler entered again and announced that dinner was served.