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Miss Bennet,
I imagine this letter will astonish you, and I realise this is a terrible manner of addressing you on this subject.
However, considering the entire situation, your father and I considered that calling on you in person would only increase the gossip and distress you further if you ultimately reject my proposition. If, in fact, you approve of it, I shall come to Longbourn and address you properly; we can then also settle all the details accordingly.
Elizabeth paused and looked at her father, completely bewildered.
“What is this, Papa? What does he mean?”
“Read on, Lizzy!”
After thorough consideration and much struggle, considering the damage the rumours may cause your family, as well as mine, I believe the best solution would be a marriage that might be to the advantage of us both. Therefore, I am asking for your hand, and I hope you will accept my proposal.
As I mentioned, this letter is certainly one of the worst marriage proposals ever made, but it was the best choice we had at the time.
A note of acceptance from your father would open my way to visiting Longbourn and repeating this proposal to you in person in a more appropriate manner.
F Darcy.
Elizabeth read the last lines utterly dumbfounded, incredulous, uncertain whether she should cry or laugh. Surely it must be a poor joke; it could be little else.
She stared at her father, whose expression was terribly serious, unable to find her words.
“Are you two mocking me, Papa?” she finally asked, her hands shaking.
“We are certainly not, Lizzy. I understand you are shocked. I was too when I first heard the proposal.”
“This is not a proposal. It is a joke. If Mr Darcy wrote it, he must have lost his mind. Was he intoxicated? How many drinks did you have?”
“Lizzy, please listen to me—”
“Listen to you? You sound like Mama and Aunt Phillips! Whose idea was this farce of a proposal? How did you and Mr Darcy even come to discuss marriage? I met Mr Darcy earlier, and such a notion did not even cross his mind!”
“Yes, he mentioned you two met…”
“What did you tell him? You must have said something to force this ludicrous idea! No man would willingly allow himself to be trapped into an unwanted marriage by some ridiculous gossip which he is not responsible for!”
“Watch your tone, Lizzy. As upset as you are, you should not shout at me. I did not suggest Mr Darcy propose marriage. It never occurred to me that he might come up with such a solution. Mr Bingley’s sisters began the scandal, and after they left, Lord Dunnroy said — as a joke over a drink — that only a marriage or another juicy report would silence people greedy for gossip. Mr Darcy was silent and thoughtful for a while, then he asked to speak to me privately. Even then I did not suspect the reason for that request.”
“Dear Lord. Has everybody lost their minds? You must agree this is absurd. I shall write to him immediately to thank him for trying to find a solution but to dismiss this one entirely.”
Her father offered no answer, and Elizabeth’s frustration increased.
“You agree with me, do you not, Papa?”
“I do understand your response, Lizzy. However, perhaps you should take a little time to consider it more calmly. After all, Mr Darcy is one of the most respected and sought-after young gentlemen in all of England. Would it be wise to refuse such a man?”
“Papa! What are you saying? I did not expect you to grab the first opportunity to secure our future, using Mr Darcy’s fortune for the purpose!”
“I am not talking about his fortune, Lizzy. Well, not just his fortune. I am talking about his position, his character, his education, his connections. It is much more than any of us ever dreamt of for you. If you were not so angry, you would see it yourself.”
“Put like that, it might sound like I deliberately intruded upon Mr Darcy in the library to force him to marry me. That is what most people will say!”
“Lizzy—”
“No Lizzy, Papa. I am too angry to quarrel with you. I shall write a note to Mr Darcy, and I expect you to deliver it.”
“Lizzy, will you not even agree to talk to him before you send him a final refusal? He seemed desirous of this marriage, and I think you owe him at least a bit of courtesy.”
