Chapter Text
Upon his return to Pemberley, Darcy leafed through the pile of correspondence awaiting him.
One was from Jane Bennett of Meryton, Hertfordshire.
He opened it without delay.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Laird of Pemberley
Dear Sir,
Thank you ever so much for your proposal. It was most unexpected, and I am deeply honoured by your offer. With each rereading of your letter, I found myself becoming more and more agreeable to the prospect of becoming your wife, until I heard myself saying aloud "Yes. A thousand times yes!"
Per your request, I have said nothing to my parents and sisters, and will wait for you to speak to my father before breaking the news to them.
I am sorry that your friend Mr. Bingley turned out to be of such low character. I was also completely deceived by him, and I suspect by his sisters as well. I am glad that we shall not know them.
Thank you again. You have no idea how despondent I was after your party quitted Netherfield. I am quite ashamed of my former feelings, and how eager I was to entrust my future to someone so unworthy.
Now my heart is full of joy - even this spate of rain cannot dampen my spirits.
I’m off to London to see my nephews and nieces. I’ll be staying at the Gardiner residence on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, should you wish to call. Please do!
Love,
Jane Bennett
Darcy sat stunned, and reread the letter. Then again. Then once more.
What in the world was this?
A bizarre attempt at entrapment?
It couldn’t be. Bingley wasn't wrong in labeling Miss Bennett an angel. Such a deception would be completely foreign to her character - it was inconceivable that she would fabricate such an elaborate ruse to obligate him...
He read it through once more, more slowly and carefully this time.
She referred to a letter written by him. One that evidently professed sentiments enough to completely sway her heart from Bingley to him, and that painted Bingley as a blackguard.
Who would do such?
Then it came to him all at once... Miss Elizabeth!
She had the intelligence, the wit, and the audacity - and would delight in seeing him try to squirm his way out of this predicament. And no doubt had enlisted her beau – Wickham – to assist her.
He swore vehemently, and reread the letter once more with this hypothesis in mind.
It was a brilliant move by Miss Elizabeth. Now he had to go to London and explain all to Miss Bennett, and also to Bingley - which would bring the two of them together.
Damn her fine eyes! He muttered in begrudging admiration.