Page 16 of A Forced Marriage
"You are fortunate, cousin, that Mr. Darcy is so honourable. This arrangement will safeguard your reputation." Mr. Collins added.
No one spoke for a while, as though any voice might spark a fire. Elizabeth's shoulders drooped under the weight of everyone's silence. She wished Jane were here; perhaps she could speak to Papa and Mama and make them see reason. Yet, she doubted that Jane's presence would change much, not when her own reputation was at stake by association if word of a scandal were to spread.
Mr. Bennet however decided that the silence was enough some few minutes later. He sighed and said, "We need to get Elizabeth home soon to rest." Turning to Darcy, he added, "We appreciate your assistance, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy gave a slight bow. "You must forgive me, but I will not be accompanying you. I have some business to attend to. I shall call on you tomorrow morning to ensure Miss Bennet's well-being."
Mr. Bennet led the way, the party following in his wake. The coachman assisted Elizabeth, who moved with some difficulty due to her strain. Mr. Darcy escorted them to the carriage, ensuring Elizabeth was settled comfortably before stepping back. As he did so, Elizabeth could not help butvoice her confusion. "Why would you agree to this?" she asked, looking directly at Mr. Darcy, her voice barely a whisper yet full of emotion.
Mr. Darcy met her gaze steadily. "Because it is the right thing to do, Miss Bennet."
Mrs. Bennet nodded approvingly, her face flushed with relief and satisfaction. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We shall expect you."
Darcy waved them goodbye and watched as the carriage pulled away, his thoughts a turbulent mix of regret and resolve. When they were out of sight, he mounted his horse and rode towards Netherfield. The weather had eased up and the rain had stopped, but it did nothing to calm the stormy tempest within his mind.
Chapter 9
The journey back to Longbourn was fraught with tension and silence. Elizabeth, nestled against the carriage's cushioned seat, gazed into the darkness, her mind awhirl with thoughts. The rain had ceased, leaving a damp chill in the air that seeped through the carriage windows. Her mother sat beside her, occasionally muttering about the evening's events and the implications for the Bennet family's reputation. Mr. Bennet, seated across from them, wore a contemplative expression, his eyes occasionally flicking towards Elizabeth with concern. Mr. Collins simply stared out the window, not saying a word throughout the journey. Lieutenant Denny rode with the coachman.
As they approached Longbourn, Elizabeth's heart sank. She dreaded the questions, the gossip, and the uncertainty that lay ahead. The carriage came to a halt, and the family disembarked, entering the house with a sense of foreboding. The atmosphere was heavy with tension. Elizabeth, her mind a tumult of conflicting emotions, spoke little. Mr. Bennet immediately retreated to his library, locking the door behind him, while Mrs. Bennet sought solace in her room, complaining about her poor nerves. Mr. Collins excused himself to his chamber, citing urgent business that demanded his attention. The coachman departed to return Lieutenant Denny to Lucas Lodge, from where he was to bring back the Bennet sisters.
Elizabeth battled with her rising anger, pacing the hallway, her thoughts in disarray. Time seemed to stretch interminably as she struggled to compose herself. The house was unnervingly quiet, save for the distant murmur of her mother's lamentations.
After about two hours, the carriage returned, carrying her sisters. Jane rushed to Elizabeth the moment she entered.
"Elizabeth, what has happened?" she inquired, her countenance marked by concern. "We heard there was an accident. Are you hurt?"
Elizabeth, still seething, took a deep breath. "The carriage overturned, and I strained my leg. However, Mr. Darcy found me and offered assistance. That is all."
Her sharp tone caught Jane unawares, causing her to step back. It wasn’t unlike Elizabeth to speak her mind so plainly without mincing words, but speaking with such a rude tone to Jane was something her elder sister was unaccustomed to hearing from her.
Mr. Collins, overhearing the arrival of the other sisters, emerged from his room with a self-satisfied air. At Lydia's prompt asking what was making Elizabeth angry, he said, "Ah, my dear cousins, it is fortunate that I am here to enlighten you about the distressing events of the evening. I must say, the scene was most alarming. We found poor Elizabeth in a most compromising position, her shift exposed, and her skirts in disarray. Mr. Darcy's arm was around her, and one could not help but assume the worst. It was indeed a sight that could ruin the reputation of any young lady!"
"Mr. Collins, that is quite enough. There is no need for such exaggeration. Elizabeth was injured, and Mr. Darcy merely offered his assistance. We were only mistaken when we arrived," Mr. Bennet said, stepping out of his study.
"And why is Mr. Darcy helping Elizabeth making her so annoyed, Papa?" Kitty asked.
Mr. Bennet ran a hand through his black hair. "Because, Kitty, Lizzy now has to marry Mr. Darcy. We cannot afford a scandal. We weren’t the only ones who saw the... compromising position we found them in. Soon, it may become the talk of Meryton, and it will take a confirmation of a proposal between both parties involved to ensure that Lizzy’s honour isn’t questioned, and that of you, her sisters, isn’t ruined."
"Papa—" Lizzy began to protest again, while her sisters' mouths fell agape as they gasped at the news. At this moment, Mrs. Bennet chose to make her entrance, blowing her nose before saying, "Elizabeth, you have no choice. If you refuse Mr. Darcy, you will ruin not only your own prospects but also those of your sisters. Think of Jane, who has captured the attention of Mr. Bingley. A scandal would destroy her chances, as well as yours and your sisters'. Though I am sorry you must end up with such a proud man who thinks himself above everyone, you are still fortunate. Mr. Darcy has a fortune of ten thousand a year, which is far better than facing a scandal that could leave you with no prospects at all."
Jane looked at Elizabeth with sympathetic eyes. "Lizzy, I am so sorry." She turned and faced her father. "But must it come to this? Is there no other way?"
"None that I know of, and Mr. Darcy has agreed to do what is honourable," Mr. Bennet whispered under his breath.
Mary inched closer to Elizabeth, patting her slightly on the back. "Elizabeth, consider the greater good of the family. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the benefit of all."
"Mr. Darcy is handsome and rich. It could be worse, Lizzy!" Kitty and Lydia chimed in together, less serious in their remarks.
Elizabeth's frustration boiled over. "You speak as if I have no say in my own life! How can you expect me to marry a man I do not love, a man who has insulted our family and believes himself superior to us?"
Before she could speak any further Mr. Bennet said, "Elizabeth, come into my study. We need to talk."
Silence fell upon the room as Elizabeth slowly followed her father into his library, her heart heavy with dread and defiance. It was only after the door of the study closed that the others began to murmur again.
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The night had deepened by the time Darcy returned to Netherfield. The rain was long ceased, leaving the air crisp and cool, but the storm within him had yet to abate. As he dismounted the borrowed horse which Bingley’s stable hand quickly appeared to take.
