Whoever Lives In Love

An excerpt from Lucy Marin's new book, coming April 21

Mr Bennet had said nothing on the way home from the assembly, when the family was sitting together in the parlour once at Longbourn, or at breakfast the next morning. Elizabeth watched him, unused to the stormy look in his eyes and evident tightness in his jaw. She did her best to counter the more outrageous claims her younger sisters and mother were making about Georgiana, even if they were true. Jane attempted to help her, even claiming to have heard someone—possibly one of Mr Bingley’s sisters—speak of Georgiana’s ‘circumstances’; her vague statement made it not quite a lie. Their efforts were for naught. Mrs Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia took too much delight in having something new and scandalous to talk over. Even knowing it was about Elizabeth’s soon-to-be sister-in-law did not stop them. She would have liked her father to intervene, but he only observed them, his expression hardening.

Again and again, Elizabeth asked herself how Georgiana could have eloped. She would not expect it of impetuous Lydia, let alone gentle, shy, well-educated Georgiana Darcy! Mr Wickham must be well-practiced at deception, and I should not forget he had Mrs Younge’s assistance.

A month ago, her life was near to perfect. Darcy would soon return to the neighbourhood, they would make preparations for their wedding, and she had no cares in the world. At present, she sensed her happiness crumbling about her; if she were not careful, if she did not discover a way to prevent it, the future she had dreamt of would become a thing of the past.

She did not know what she might do and hoped she devised a plan soon.

The party from Netherfield arrived not long after the morning meal.

“I insisted my dear wife and I accompany our brother and Mr Bingley,” Mr Wickham said to Mrs Bennet. “I have never enjoyed myself as much as I did last night, and that is in large part thanks to you and your lovely daughters. You have my undying gratitude for making me and Mrs Wickham feel so welcome.”

Elizabeth almost laughed at his exaggerated manner. Darcy took it as she expected—thinly veiled anger—Mr Bingley rolled his eyes, and even Jane, who always saw the best in people, looked shocked. Yet, her mother and two youngest sisters fell into eager conversation with the recently married couple—especially Mr Wickham—while Mary looked on disapprovingly.

Not five minutes after their guests arrived, Mr Bennet caught her eye and gestured towards the door, signalling that it was time for their discussion. She and Darcy followed him to his book-room, where they all sat, her father across the old walnut desk from them.

“I would like you to be candid about your sister’s marriage and her husband, Mr Darcy,” her father said, drumming his fingers on the table.

Elizabeth watched her betrothed as he reluctantly fulfilled the demand; she was proud of him for doing so without expressing his fury and for recognising her father had a good reason to know.

Once he was done, Mr Bennet regarded Darcy for a long moment, did the same with Elizabeth, and then turned back to the younger man.

“I suspected as much. Is it your intention to continue with the story that you purposely left Hertfordshire for their wedding, despite telling everyone you were required at your estate to oversee several projects or whatever it was, and that you approve of their union?”

“I do not see any other choice. It is that or admit that they eloped. Who knows what sorts of problems that would cause for my sister and family, or how severe they would be,” Darcy responded, his voice steady. “I have written to my uncles and cousins. I have heard from my cousins and one of my uncles, but not yet the earl. I anticipate a response to my express from him at any time. They share my feeling that there is still much for us to determine, including what we shall do if people discover what their actions were.”

“As they very likely will. You cannot believe you can keep this quiet,” her father said, the last a statement, not a question.

Nevertheless, Darcy shrugged and said, “I can hope and be prepared to counter any speculation that arises.”

There was a long moment of silence, followed by her father saying, “I am not pleased. It is your family’s…misfortune, shall we call it, Mr Darcy, not mine. Yet, while you and Lizzy remain engaged—”

“Papa!” Elizabeth exclaimed, heat rushing to her face at the implication that she and Darcy might not marry. She would rather die than be separated from him.

“Do not make me ask you to leave the room,” he said sharply. “As I was saying, while it is a matter for your family, sir, it affects mine, especially Lizzy, and that I am struggling to accept.”

“I would never knowingly cause harm to Miss Elizabeth or your family,” Darcy insisted. “This regrettable situation has only just come to light. No matter what anyone said at the assembly, no one knows what really happened apart from a few who have no reason to advertise the affair.”

Elizabeth wondered if he recalled Mrs Younge; what had he done to ensure she remained silent? And would Mr Wickham announce his marriage to force Darcy to accede to his demands for money? These were questions for another time.

“You cannot rescind your permission,” Elizabeth stated. “Mr Darcy and I shall marry. Everyone here knows it, as does Mr Darcy’s family. Beyond that, I want to marry him, and I intend to.”

“Elizabeth,” Darcy said softly, shaking his head in a manner that suggested she should be calm and allow him and her father to resolve the matter. He was mistaken if he thought she would, however, although she did moderate her tone when she continued.

“If you acted to break our engagement, that would be an undeniable scandal—and it would put Georgiana at greater risk of having her secret exposed. You cannot do it, Papa.”

Mr Bennet ran a hand roughly over his mouth. “I do not wish to. There would be no peace at Longbourn if I told your mother I had dismissed a husband for one of you girls. But I do not like this, Lizzy,” he said again. “For now, I shall say nothing more, but there is to be no talk of setting a wedding date. I am absolutely against it until we see what the next weeks bring. I may yet change my mind.”

When Darcy and Elizabeth meet at Netherfield, they put aside any pride and prejudice and fall quickly in love. But the peaceful path to matrimony is interrupted when Georgiana comes to stay, along with her husband--George Wickham.