The Darcys’ participation in Georgiana’s second Season began immediately upon their return to London from Rosings Park. Three weeks later, Lord Harry asked for Georgiana’s hand in marriage, and Darcy gave the couple his blessing. The wedding was in six weeks. Lady Matlock was delighted. Playing matchmaker for Darcy became the farthest thing from her mind. Her sole focus was on the planning of a June wedding.
The Season progressed quite differently than the last. The news of Georgiana Darcy’s engagement to Lord Harry Middleton signalled there would no longer be a steady stream of gentlemen callers at Darcy House. Darcy’s obligation to take part in the Season significantly diminished. As Georgiana’s intended, Lord Harry undertook the role as her escort among society. They went everywhere together. His sister, Lady Harriette, often accompanied them; therefore, Darcy never did. He would not be seen in Lady Harriette’s company and thus give rise to any sort of speculation of an attachment. Darcy only attended those functions hosted by the Matlocks or their closest friends, and always on his own.
After overstepping the bounds of their tenuous friendship at the temple in Kent, Darcy finally came to appreciate what Elizabeth meant when she said they could not go back to the type of friendship they once had shared. He still felt responsible for her bout of illness following their trip. He endeavoured to respect whatever boundaries she chose to impose on their relationship. If she desired his company, he made himself available; otherwise, he focused his attentions on his work. He mostly kept to the privacy of his study when he was at home during the day. When he was out, he focused upon sporting activities, especially fencing. Though Richard and he no longer shared the same proclivity for debauchery, the two continued to enjoy many other gentlemanly pastimes. On occasion, Darcy spent time at his club with Bingley and other old friends, as well.
For the rest of the Season, each day passed much as the day before with Lady Matlock, Georgiana, and Elizabeth focusing upon the upcoming wedding; splitting their time between Darcy House and Matlock House.
As happy as Georgiana was over her upcoming marriage to Lord Harry, she worried over Elizabeth’s fate. She loved her very much, and did not want to have to say goodbye to her best friend. Though Elizabeth often attempted to reassure Georgiana that they would always be friends, Georgiana continued to fret. She could not understand what was happening with her brother. It was increasingly clear that he cared deeply for Elizabeth. She feared he might never overlook his pride and his sense of duty to offer for her. With her marriage to Lord Harry and her place in the highest circles secured, she wondered if her brother might forget society’s dictates to pursue his own happiness.
The day of Georgiana’s wedding was by all definitions, perfect. She was proudly escorted down the aisle by both Darcy and Richard. Though Georgiana insisted upon a small, simple gathering of immediate family and intimate friends for the ceremony, Lady Matlock insisted upon a more lavish wedding breakfast for the nuptials of the niece of the Earl of Matlock and the son and heir of the Earl of Stafford. Many from the highest circles of society attended. After the grand wedding breakfast, hosted by Lady Matlock at Darcy House, Georgiana and her husband promptly set off for their new town home in Mayfair, with a planned departure on their honeymoon tour in three days hence.
As overjoyed as he was for his sister, Darcy, for the most part, went through the motions that day, doing everything expected of him as the surrogate father of the bride, but with an overwhelming sense of unease. Elizabeth had yet to give him an answer to his proposal. She had avoided giving Darcy an answer before Georgiana’s wedding, so as not to overshadow the felicity surrounding the occasion.
In the last month leading up to Georgiana’s wedding, Darcy had fretted over his imminent separation from Elizabeth. With Georgiana married and out of his home, it would not be possible for Elizabeth to remain under his roof. Darcy had decided to provide a modest home near Hanover Square for Elizabeth. He had charged his solicitor with setting up a trust in Elizabeth’s name to pay all her household expenses as well as afford a comfortable yearly stipend for the rest of her life. Acting on her behalf as an anonymous benefactor, Darcy had wished to offer Elizabeth a secure and independent future. Other than Elizabeth and his solicitor, he had not intended that anyone should know of his bequest.
Two days before the wedding, Darcy had presented the settlements he had made on Elizabeth’s behalf to her. Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. To Elizabeth, and she was sure to everyone else as well, his plan would be perceived as an arrangement for a mistress!
With the departure of the last of the wedding guests, Elizabeth approached Darcy for a long overdue discussion on his plans for her future.
Darcy sat casually on his desk with his eyes fixed on her face, and Elizabeth stood directly in front of him, barely a foot away, her colour heightened and her arms folded. They were in the midst of a heated argument.
“You know that is not what I have suggested!” Darcy stated emphatically. His resounding voice could be heard outside the door of his study.
“What about perceptions?” Elizabeth argued. “Perception is everything among society! What were you thinking, Mr. Darcy? Despite your honourable intentions, I would be exposed to the censure of the world for dissipation, as well as its derision... scorned as a kept woman!”
“It would not be like that, Miss Elizabeth. No one would ever know of my part. I want you to be secure and well-provided for. We will not see each other if need be. Your sisters are welcome to come live with you,” he stood, prompting her to take a step back to maintain the distance between them. “I intended no disrespect. You must know that. I only wish for your happiness. I do not want you to have to consider being someone’s governess,” Darcy asserted.
“I would be living in my own establishment, with servants, and a carriage, for Heaven’s sake! Clearly, if not yours, I would be perceived as some wealthy gentleman’s mistress!” she shouted.
“No... you misunderstand,” was all Darcy could say before Elizabeth interrupted.
“And what about after you have married? I imagine your wife might have something to say about such an arrangement.”
With stoic resolve, he replied, “I will never marry.”
“Then you, sir, are either a coward or a fool!” Elizabeth angrily hissed.
Darcy was taken aback by her scathing insult. “A coward?” he repeated contemptuously.
“Yes, a coward—of the worse kind; for how else might one describe your behaviour? How dare you say you will never marry when your family and your poor cousin Anne fully expect you to marry her, and have done so for years?” Elizabeth demanded.
“Surely, you do not believe that will ever happen. I would sooner marry Richard,” he said in a voice of cool indifference.
“Perhaps you should. You two are far better suited to each other... two peas in a pod,” she retorted derisively in response to his sarcastic remark.
Instead of dwelling on that particular line of discussion, Darcy answered back, “You presume to accuse me of being a fool!” He spoke in a cold, arrogant tone that could no longer be repressed despite his feelings for her, such was his dismay.
“Only a fool would say that he will never marry, especially someone such as you with so much to offer.”
“Then what does that make you, madam?” he asked disparagingly.
“Mr. Darcy, I wish to marry but only for the deepest love. As I am in love with someone I evidently will never have, I guess that makes me a fool as well.”
“Then, in that we are equalled, because I am in love with someone whom I can never have.”
“It is different, and you know it! You are a wealthy man—your own master; you may marry whomever you choose.”
“No, I cannot. I doubt you will ever understand. My sense of duty and loyalty to my family dictate that I choose a wife from the highest circles. Rather than go against those expectations by offering marriage to the only woman I will ever love, I choose to remain single.”
“Then, you are a greater fool than I suspect!” She had heard enough. Resolved, she flatly stated, “Good day, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth stormed out of the room before he could reply. She could not wait another moment to escape his presence.
The tumult in her mind was now painfully great. Elizabeth was so sorely disappointed in Darcy. He expressed absolutely no regret for his actions. He was utterly convinced of his righteousness in the matter; no amount of discourse on her part would convince him otherwise. How could he not see that he had insulted her with his largesse, and in so doing, deeply wounded her?
Elizabeth had already packed in the days leading up to the wedding everything she intended to take with her. She instructed her maid to send her possessions to Gracechurch Street once she had left Darcy House. All that remained was to impart her decision to Darcy, a message best conveyed in a letter. She did not want to set eyes on him, not just then.
Elizabeth paused at the doorway for a moment, to have a last look. Then, she made her way to the street where she took a public carriage to Cheapside, completely oblivious to all the attention she attracted as an unescorted young woman in Grosvenor Square. Her former maid followed her instructions and delivered the letter to Darcy once Elizabeth had gone.
Darcy was not in the mood to see anyone after his bitter quarrel with Elizabeth. However, upon discovering it was her maid requesting his audience, he agreed to see her. The young maid quickly handed him the letter and left his study without a word. Pondering its meaning, he sat down at his desk and braced himself for the worse.
Dear Sir,
Allow me to start by saying that the time I have spent here in your home, with Georgiana and you, has been among the most fortunate times of my life. I thank you for that.
You thought that I would never understand what you meant in saying that you would never marry, because you could not marry the woman you love. I do understand. I know that I am the woman whom you think you love. I know that your pride, your arrogance, and your belief in your duty to your family rule you. I also know that you do not love me enough to overcome any of those perceived obstacles.
Who willingly denies someone they love a chance for true happiness? As regards the arrangement you have offered me, does it allow me the opportunity to meet and fall in love with someone else? Does it allow me a chance at marriage and motherhood? Or does it require that I must be locked away in Mayfair, forever under your protection?
What would possibly tempt me to accept such an arrangement?
You have astounded me with your latest act. From the moment that I accepted the position as Georgiana’s companion, you have attempted to direct every aspect of my life, often-times in a manner that can only be described as heavy-handed and officious. Are you so convinced of your own omnipotence that you truly believe it is up to you alone to provide for my future? After all this time, do you know nothing about me?
You say you did all of this because you do not want me to be anyone’s governess. What makes you think I ever plan to? Did you even once think to ask me of my plans? Of course, you did not. Given your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, you believe you know what is best for everyone; why bother to seek anyone else’s opinion?
You have finally convinced me that you are the most self-absorbed person I have ever had the misfortune of knowing and that you are the last man in the world to whom I would wish to be indebted.
I reject your offer. It is time we say farewell. You see sir, I have my own purpose and meaning for my life. I am ready to take my chance for true happiness.
I release you. I release myself. We both deserve something wonderful.
Elizabeth Bennet