The Impulse of the Moment

by Jann Rowland

  “William, Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy, his manner grave, “a matter has arisen of which I would speak to you both. It concerns Wickham.”

  The expression on William’s face, which had become more open since their marriage, immediately shuttered at the mention of his onetime friend. His father must have seen his sudden anger, for he spoke to placate him.

  “It is not what you think, Fitzwilliam. I have no more intention of supporting Wickham, for I now acknowledge the truth of what you told me of him over the years. As you know, I cut him off when he left Netherfield. He respected my wishes until about a month ago when I received a letter from him.”

  “I suppose he was asking for money,” said William. He shook his head with disdain. “It is too much to hope he was able to make his way without incurring debt, for I know him too well for that.”

  The sigh which was Mr. Darcy’s response confirmed William’s suppositions. “Yes, that was the gist of his message. His circumstances, he assured me, were very bad, as his time in the position I had obtained for him did not go well. I hope you will not blame me if I kept in contact with that firm in order to be informed of his progress. He lasted barely four months.”

  “No, I cannot blame you for that,” replied William. “I might have done the same.”

  Mr. Darcy gave a curt nod. “As his request was simple, I decided it was best to accede, on the condition he would not importune me again. The substance of his request was such that further contact is unlikely.”

  At William’s interested look, his father assuaged his curiosity. “He requested my assistance in his taking a ship for the New World and expressed an interest in starting anew. It seems that not only were his circumstances bad, but the woman with whom he lived was on the verge of throwing him out, not to mention certain acquaintances were looking for him due to some substantial debts of honor.”

  “Wickham, Wickham,” said William, shaking his head. “Will he never change? I have little hope of it.” William peered at his father. “I suppose you agreed? If it had been me, I would have agreed for no other reason than to remove him from these shores forever.”

  “I did,” confirmed Mr. Darcy. “The ship departed three weeks ago, with Wickham on it. Due to the remembrance of his father, I gave him one hundred pounds to assist him in making his way when he arrives. Whether it will still be in his possession when he disembarks in Baltimore, I cannot say. Regardless, our family association with him is at an end. For the sake of his father’s memory, I hope he makes something of himself. But it is in his hands now.”

  “Thank you for informing us, Father,” replied William quietly. “It was the correct choice.”

  Mr. Darcy nodded but did not reply. The conversation turned to other matters then, items of interest for Elizabeth, and for William, as well. The family was expected for Christmas on the morrow, both their Fitzwilliam and Bennet relations, including the Gardiners. It had been surprising, but Mr. Darcy had taken to Mr. Gardiner immediately, learning to rely on his judgment in all matters business. The Gardiner business had grown in the past year due to substantial investment by the gentlemen in the group. Knowing her uncle’s acumen, Elizabeth suspected they would all make handsome profits in the coming years.

  “You shall also make the acquaintance of the one member of my brother’s family still unknown to you,” said Lady Anne. “William’s cousin Anthony has returned to England and will be joining us at Pemberley. My brother has informed me he is anticipating making your acquaintance.”

  “You will love Anthony, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana. “He is as happy and amiable as Mr. Bingley!”

  “Having heard much of him,” said Elizabeth with a laugh, “I can hardly wait to make his acquaintance. Perhaps he might be able to share some stories of my husband.” Elizabeth turned to regard William, noting his groan. “You were raised together, were you not?”

  “They were,” confirmed Mr. Darcy.

  “But you should view whatever Anthony says with more than a hint of skepticism,” said William. “He is renowned for his tall tales.”

  “That he is!” exclaimed Lady Anne. “But you shall judge for yourself. I also understand that your sister Mary will be bereft of her suitor since the Bingleys are to come to Pemberley.”

  Elizabeth looked to William and shook her head. That Mary had a suitor who had visited Netherfield in order to pay her attention had been a shock to Elizabeth. That it was Mr. Hardwick, the man who had seemed particularly interested in Elizabeth at that one ball they had attended in London was an even greater shock. But Jane had reported she was pleased with his ardency, though he was not too insistent for Mary’s sensibilities.

  “Mary is yet too young to wed,” said Elizabeth. “Perhaps we can see more of them together during the season in London, for I am curious to know what he sees in Mary that would allow her to serve as a substitute for me.”

  “I think you do Hardwick a disservice,” said William. “He is a good man.” Then William paused and grinned. “And with Bingley, myself, and your brother all on hand to protect her, I doubt he will step out of line.”

  “It would also be best for you to take care in how you deal with Mary’s feelings,” said Lady Anne, laughter in her eyes and voice. “As much like you as she is, she will not be pleased with your interference.”

  Elizabeth huffed with annoyance. “Mary is the youngest of us—we have always been protective of her.”

  “And it is to your credit, my dear,” said Mrs. Darcy. “But she is now nearly twenty and is capable of looking out for her own interests. A protective instinct is all well and good, but sooner or later, all young people must be allowed to spread their own wings.”

  As Lady Anne spoke, her eyes moved to her own daughter, confirming what they all already knew, that the time when Georgiana must be free was quickly approaching. Georgiana blushed under her mother’s scrutiny, but she proved her increased maturity by refusing to look away.

  “I look forward to seeing my family once again,” said Elizabeth, turning the discussion slightly. “Though I will warn you that we are unlikely to see my father again once he is introduced to the library. You might never evict him from the house!”

  They all laughed at the characterization of her father, for they all knew it to be the truth. This observation once again provoked a general conversation among them all, and for a time, news was exchanged, both of Pemberley and Blackfish, but nothing of much import was said. Through it all, Elizabeth felt the eyes of her husband’s father on her, similar to what she had felt the previous year in Hertfordshire. But while that had been judging, there was some undefinable quality in his current scrutiny.

  After a time, when William was engaged with his mother and sister, Mr. Darcy approached and sat beside her. They exchanged a few pleasant words about nothing of consequence, and Elizabeth became all that much more curious of his manner. This man was not one for small talk, though she had grown to respect his opinions when he did speak. This was something different.

  “I know from your looks you are curious as to my purpose, Elizabeth,” said he at length. “Perhaps you might even think me daft. But I wished to take this opportunity to thank you for making your husband so happy.”

  “It is nothing, Mr. Darcy, for I have derived as much happiness as has your son.”

  “Yes, I can see you have.” He paused, considering his words, before speaking again. “I can see now that my son has chosen well, for you have brought so much more to him than any lady of society ever could have. That is something to value, something I had forgotten for a time. That he saw it is a measure of his own discernment. That he saw it in you, is very fortunate, indeed, though his choice of expressing himself was unfortunate.”

  The matter of their first meeting, William had informed his parents of before their wedding, insisting they should know of it, especially since the Bennets already knew. The embarrassment of the confession had become all that much greater when his father made his disapp
ointment known. That Elizabeth could have demanded Mr. Darcy marry her to restore her reputation, and had avoided any suggestion of it, had raised her in his esteem.

  “As I said, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, “my feelings for your son render your thanks unnecessary, for I derive as much benefit as he. I could not be happier in my life.”

  “I am happy to hear it,” was Mr. Darcy’s quiet response. “In the future, I would like it if you and Fitzwilliam would spend more time at Pemberley, consider it your home, though I understand if you also wish for your own family home at Blackfish.”

  “I believe we will be happy to do so,” replied Elizabeth warmly. “We both love Pemberley and all of you very much.”

  Mr. Darcy smiled and said no more, and after a few moments, the other three once again joined the conversation. That William knew his father had exchanged words with her was evident, but his countenance displayed no distress. His reconciliation with his father had been achieved, and as far as Elizabeth could tell, their relationship was as strong as ever.

  The ability to once again be among those they loved in such a place as Pemberley was welcome to both Elizabeth and William, and they stayed together late that night, basking in the shared love of family. When they retired, it was with the anticipation of the other members of their family joining them.

  When she told William of what his father had said, he looked at her, a question evident on his countenance. “Do you wish to spend more time here? Or do you prefer to stay at Blackfish?”

  “It may be beneficial to spend some time there,” said Elizabeth, “but I believe I have come to love Pemberley as much as you do. Perhaps it might be best to spend the majority of our time here.”

  William’s countenance brightened, informing Elizabeth she had said the right thing. “I cannot agree more. Then it is settled.”

  They doused the candles and settled under the counterpane, Elizabeth with her head on her husband’s shoulder. And as she drifted off to sleep, Elizabeth was struck by the rightness of the feeling of being at Pemberley. Yes, she had made the right decision in indulging her husband’s love for his ancestral home. But more, she had decided correctly in forgiving him for his actions five years before. Perhaps his kiss had been an impulse, but it had led them to this point. Elizabeth could not have been happier.

  The End

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  For Readers Who Liked The Impulse of the Moment

  A Gift for Elizabeth

  Sundered from her parents and sisters, a depressed Elizabeth Bennet lives with the Gardiners in London. When times seem most desperate, she makes a new acquaintance in Mr. Darcy, and the encounter changes her perspective entirely. With the spirit of Christmas burning within her, Elizabeth begins to recover from the hardships which have beset her life. Join Elizabeth in her journey to receive a special gift which will change everything.

  A Tale of Two Courtships

  Two sisters, both in danger of losing their hearts. One experiences a courtship which ends quickly in an engagement, the other must struggle against the machinations of others. And one who will do anything to ensure her beloved sister achieves her heart’s desire.

  Mr. Bennet Takes Charge

  When Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to the lakes is canceled, Mr. Bingley, along with his elusive friend Mr. Darcy, return to Netherfield, turning a quiet summer is topsy-turvy. Then Elizabeth learns her sister, Lydia, means to elope with a rake, and the very respectability of her family is at stake. Elizabeth takes heart, however, when her father rises to the occasion, in a way she would never have predicted. With Mr. Darcy’s assistance, there may still be time to prevent calamity, and even find love, against all odds.

  Murder at Netherfield

  After the ball at Netherfield, a fault in their carriage results in the Bennet family being forced to stay at the Bingley estate, and when a blizzard blows in overnight, the Bennets find themselves stranded there. When a body is found, leading to a string of murders which threaten the lives of those present, Elizabeth and Darcy form an alliance to discover the identity of the murderer and save those they care about most. But the depraved actions of a killer, striking from the shadows, threatens their newly found admiration for each other.

  What Comes Between Cousins

  A rivalry springs up between Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, each determined to win the fair Elizabeth Bennet. As the situation between cousins deteriorates, clarity begins to come for Elizabeth, and she sees Mr. Darcy as the man who will fill all her desires in a husband. But the rivalry between cousins is not the only trouble brewing for Elizabeth.

  Whispers of the Heart

  A different Bingley party arrives in Hertfordshire leading to a new suitor emerging for the worthiest of the Bennet sisters. As her sister has obtained her happiness, Elizabeth Bennet finds herself thrown into society far above any she might have otherwise expected, which leads her to a new understanding of the enigmatic Mr. Darcy.

  For more details, visit

  http://www.onegoodsonnet.com/genres/pride-and-prejudice-variations

  About the Author

  Jann Rowland is a Canadian, born and bred. Other than a two-year span in which he lived in Japan, he has been a resident of the Great White North his entire life, though he professes to still hate the winters.

  Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.

  When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.

  Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.

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