by D. L. Carter
“Now she is to marry my darling Wickham’s enemy! No. You must stop her.”
“Lydia, do not be foolish,” said Mrs. Bennet. “When you finish school Mr. Darcy shall arrange your come out.”
“Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy,” shrieked Lydia, tears streaming down her face. “He is all we hear about. It is ghastly unfair. He has the money and keeps it all for himself. Not one consideration for another person. Papa, Mama, you cannot permit it. I won’t stand for it.”
“I do not see it is of any concern of yours,” said Mr. Bennet, “for you shall be in the schoolroom for another decade complete, if your conduct tonight is any guide.”
“You cannot make me. I will call the constable.”
“Lydia, calm yourself, please,” wept Mrs. Bennet. “I cannot bear to see you overset. You shall marry, and well, for you will have Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to take you about, and Lizzy shall have good clothes made just for you.”
“No, he won’t,” said Elizabeth. “And I shall not ask him to show consideration toward a girl who is ungrateful and rude.”
“You see. He won’t. He doesn’t like me. No one likes me. You are all jealous. It is most unfair.”
Mr. Bennet sighed and rose from his place. No words were necessary. Lydia fled the table. The remainder of those at table pretended that the outburst had not occurred, and the newly engaged couple were toasted and congratulated with some sincerity. Mrs. Bennet begged to be told what were Mr. Darcy’s favorite foods so she might prepare a good menu for when he arrived. Mr. Bennet inquired as to the prosperity of Pemberley, Darcy’s estate and requested, hesitantly, that Mr. Darcy’s steward and land manager be asked to call on Mr. Bennet at their convenience to discuss improving Longbourn.
A plan was advanced to ask Jane to host a betrothal ball at Netherfield on her return from London so that Mrs. Bennet could parade Elizabeth’s success before the neighbors.
After the meal both Kitty and Mary made their apologies to Lizzy, which were accepted with hugs and tears.
And Lydia was left above-stairs to deal with her impotent rage as best she could.
***
Lydia’s note to Wickham that night was read with considerable interest by that man.
Lizzy Bennet to marry that stiff-rumped Darcy? Who would have thought the man would know enough to value a woman of spirit?
Wickham laughed under his breath.
Darcy’s interference had robbed Wickham of Georgiana’s dowry, but there was no limits to what he would pay to recover his wife-to-be, especially since Lydia had declared it was a love match. A love match!
Wickham thought of how much he would demand, then added to it and doubled it.
Recovering the woman would cost Darcy ten thousand pounds - to begin.
Then, whenever Wickham needed more all he need to was hint that Elizabeth did not go to him chaste and the Darcy purse would open again and again and again!
***
It was Richard's duty to escort Lady Catherine back to Rosings Park, a task undertaken after the signing of legal documents removing the de Bourgh estate from her direct management. She was granted an allowance so she might purchase necessities, but the estate itself and all the attendant gifts and responsibilities were gone.
The air inside the carriage was distinctly chilly, almost as cold as the frosty air outside.
“I have decided to make you my heir,” said Lady Catherine to Colonel Fitzwilliam. “On the condition…”
These were the first words she had spoken for several hours. The colonel had occupied himself during this uncomfortable ride with reading the London papers and mentally composing letters to his commanding officers.
If he had noticed that Lady Catherine was trying to intimidate him with her silence there was no way to assess the effectiveness of that from his demeanor. His calm under enemy fire and when facing his superiors was legendary, therefore Lady Catherine at her worse did not ruffle his feathers no matter how much he pretended otherwise to his cousin, Darcy.
“How kind, Aunt,” he said now, in a stiff indifferent tone, “but entirely unnecessary. I have the small estate from my Grandmother to serve my needs after that Corsican is defeated.”
Lady Catherine glared at him, opening, and closing her mouth while she considered her options.
Before she could begin another gambit the Colonel continued.
“And, pray, do not offer me cousin Anne to be my wife. She is not yours to give away any more, and my father directs that marriage is not to be thought of until she recovers from your poisoning!”
“How dare you?”
“Easily, Aunt.” The colonel gave her a humorless smile. “Now that you have been declared a lunatic I no longer labor under the obligation to pretend to respect you.”
“Get out,” shrieked Lady Catherine. “Get out now. I will not have you travel in my carriage. Get out and walk back to London, if you must. I will not have you darken the shades of Rosings Park!”
“Aunt, you mistake the matter. I am not traveling to Rosings to keep you company. You are in my custody. I am taking you to your prison! Whether any of the family calls on you again, or acknowledges you, depends entirely on your good behavior.”
And with that the Colonel returned his attention to his papers.
***
The note smuggled into Longbourn from Wickham began: “Dearest Lydia, I agree with you. It is most unjust. But, my love, I cannot come for you, care for you in the manner you deserve without funds. The officers in the Militia conspire against me to prevent my promotion and I need a good amount of the ready to buy a paying rank in the Regulars. With your aid, my dear, we shall have all we deserve. This is what you must do, and we shall have our revenge on Elizabeth and Darcy at the same time.”
***
Elizabeth caught up her shawl and arranged it about her shoulders. It was a fine afternoon, the air still, if chill, and the light scattering of clouds promised a brilliant sunset. A walk across the familiar fields of her family lands, her estate, would soothe this strange ache in her heart. She was to leave Longbourn. Leave and go to live far to the north with her husband.
Both concepts were strange and a little terrifying, while at the same time impatiently awaited.
She was to marry. To be wed to Mr. Darcy. He of the dark intent gazes and fine sculpted lips. Her understanding Aunt Madeline had permitted them a full quarter-hour of privacy to make their goodbyes before loading her into the carriage home. A quarter hour!
Too long for just words, and not long enough for all the kisses she desired once he had begun teaching her the skill.
Yes, she was impatient to begin her life. Pemberley, as described to her by the Countess of Matlock and Georgiana, was a paradise on Earth and she longed to discover its many walks and pathways.
And then there was the miracle of marriage.
A brief conversation with Jane assured her that where there was love, the marital act was nothing to fear and much to welcome.
From the moment Mr. Darcy kissed her, Elizabeth could think of little else. He had hinted that he was agreeable to an early marriage. One month complete was too long for him. He was blushing and breathing hard when he said it, and the power she seemed to have over him amused Elizabeth greatly.
He would be arriving in a day or two to discuss matters with Mr. Bennet and then the banns would be read.
“Lizzy! Lizzy, oh where are you, girl?”
Elizabeth sighed. She was in little better books with her mother now she was to wed a wealthy man, but Mrs. Bennet was still not in Elizabeth’s good books. But the older woman would not change and what could not be changed must be accepted, or avoided.
Elizabeth preferred avoidance.
“There you are, Lizzy. I have just been going over the clothes you bought in London…”
“You have been in my room, Madam? Without me?”
Mrs. Bennet blinked. “Of course. I was prevented from accompanying you to London and had to see that my sister Madeline put yo
ur funds to good use. From what you have brought back it is clear she does not know all the best warehouses, and does not have my taste! Clearly she has sent you back with the easily finished costumes. We must send her a note in the morning, directing that the rest of them are better decorated.”
“Forgive me Mama, but the costumes are decorated to my tastes.”
“But you are not a simple country girl now. You will be appearing before the highest in the land. Is not Mr. Darcy related to a nobleman?”
“Mama, please, now is not the time to fuss.”
“I do not understand you, Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet pressed her kerchief to her face and her voice was low and distant. “I never understood you. You never seemed to need me the way the others did. You walked earlier, insisted on Lizzy do self far earlier than the others. You did not want to be petted and fussed over. You could not wait to be out and doing.”
“I do not remember that.”
“I do. A mother does. I am sorry for it Lizzy, and I would like to do something for you, but I do not know what you would accept.”
“Wish me well, Mama.”
“I do. I do, with all my heart.”
“Thank you. That is all I require.” Elizabeth settled her shawl. “I should like to take a walk and let the air clear my head.”
“Yes, dear. Get that walking out of the way now. A husband will have less tolerance for your solitary walks than a mother. The ton will never tolerate your untidy hair and dirty petticoats. Soon enough you will have to put away the things of a child before you have children of your own.”
Elizabeth did not bother to try and explain Mr. Darcy claimed to like her walking out. Instead she inclined her head and exited the front door. Through a lit window she could see her father asleep in his bookroom. Mary was working on a new musical piece and the intermittent burst of music was a fitting accompaniment to the fading light in the sky.
A creaking door echoed across the small park.
“Lydia,” breathed Elizabeth, turning.
“Oh, hello Lizzy.” Lydia smiled and came across the grass, holding out her hands. “I wanted to congratulate you.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Truly?”
“Yes, I have had a change of heart. I saw you from my window. Let us walk about and you can tell me all about it. Have you seen Mr. Darcy’s London house? Is it as fine as Mr. Bingley said?”
“I expect so,” said Elizabeth as Lydia threaded her arm through her sisters. “I have not yet seen it.”
“Oh? If it were me I would have insisted.”
“Yes, well. I am marrying the man, not the house, so I am content to see it when the time comes.”
“Oh, la, Lizzy, I wouldn’t be you for all the money in the world.” Lydia laughed and pulled her sister on down the walk. “You should have gone to see it. Might be a dark, dreary place just like Mr. Darcy. But then, you are a sensible person.” Lydia managed to put a wealth of meaning into the word sensible. And none of that meaning positive. “I could not bear such a dull life as you’ll lead with him. I must have dancing, you see. Dancing and laughing and fun.”
“I have noticed that once or twice in the past,” said Lizzy, and then tried to shriek as arms reached out of the bush. A rough hand covered her mouth. Elizabeth tried to bite, but thick leather gloves prevented her teeth finding their mark. She pushed vainly at the arm wrapped about her waist.
“Oh, do stop making a fuss, Lizzy,” said Lydia, calmly watching her sister struggle against her assailant. “We only need a decent amount to live on. Once Mr. Darcy comes up with the ready, or Papa changes his will, you’ll be home again.”
And Lydia leaned past Elizabeth to plant a kiss on her captor’s cheek before turning and strolling back to the house.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“Mr. Darcy,” said the footman, entering the study of Matlock house. “There is a gentleman come to call on you. A Mr. Bennet.”
The footman presented a card with little more than the words.
Thomas Bennet, Longbourn on it.
No message. Nothing to explain the unexpected arrival of his soon to be father-in-law.
Darcy rose from the table where he was meeting with his Uncle and the family solicitor. He had chosen to remain in London and deal with the legal matters attendant upon his marriage, and to give his beloved Elizabeth time to reconcile her family to the coming wedding.
For a moment Darcy feared that Mr. Bennet had come to forbid the wedding, but he had more confidence in Mr. Bennet’s good sense, and his Elizabeth’s ability to be convincing. Therefore…
“Please excuse me, Uncle. I must see to this.”
“Bring him in, Darcy,” said Lord Matlock. “We should go over the settlements with him at some point, and if he is to be family, I should like to shake his hand.”
“Yes. Certainly. John, bring Mr. Bennet in.”
“Begging your pardon, Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Bennet has requested a private interview.”
“He did? I am at his immediate disposal. Where have you placed him?”
“The library.”
“Suitable,” muttered Darcy under his breath.
He pulled at his jacket and smoothed his hair. This was the first time, and hopefully the last, wherein he must face a man, and request his daughter’s hand in marriage. It might be that Mr. Bennet was offended by the letter notifying him of the proposal. Who knew how that humorous gentleman would react to losing his favorite daughter?
Darcy did not expect to be met with a pale and trembling shadow of a gentleman. Mr. Bennet was ignoring the books, and the tray of refreshments arranged for his restoration, but was pacing the room, twisting his hands together.
“Darcy,” cried Mr. Bennet when the younger man entered. “Oh, thank God you are here.”
“Mr. Bennet? Dear God, what is the matter? You look pale, sir. How may I aid you?”
“Oh, bless you boy. You have been helping my family for months, and have little enough reward for it all.”
“I will have Elizabeth to wife, should you give us your blessing. That is enough for me.”
“But that is the problem,” cried Mr. Bennet and near to wept. “Lizzy is missing!”
“Tell me at once, what has happened, and what has been done to recover her?”
“She has not been seen since Wednesday morning. She went out for one of her walks, and did not return for breakfast, which is not unusual. When she did not appear for luncheon I thought nothing of it thinking she was paying a call on one of her friends to speak of the engagement. Her mother was not pleased when she did not return home for tea, when the ladies of the neighborhood came to call and sent a message to the home of her good friend, Charlotte Lucas. The Lucas’s denied seeing her. The same message came from her Aunt Phillips. When she did not return at nightfall a search was mounted.”
“And no sign of her?”
“You will understand, Mr. Darcy, that the reason for the search was carefully understated. I did not want to attract attention to Elizabeth’s absence … overnight!”
“I cannot see that. Her innocence has been confirmed over and over again. And now she is engaged to me…”
“As to that, it would be as well for you to show your face in Meryton to confirm the story and to…”
“Story? Mr. Bennet, are some of your gossiping neighbors suggesting Elizabeth and I are not engaged?”
“The banns are not yet called. No announcement has been seen in the papers.”
Darcy stalked across to the bell pull. A sharp yank brought the footman hotfoot.
“Inform my valet to pack. Also take a message to my cousin the Colonel. He, also, is to pack. Have my carriage prepared. We leave as soon as all is ready.”
“Darcy,” came the voice of the Earl. “What is this?”
“My Fiancée is missing,” cried Darcy, near to choking on the words. “Has been missing … how long did you say?”
“Wednesday morning she was seen leaving the house by Lydia. We have begun a search. Lizzy i
s known for her long walks. I have suggested to my tenants that she might have fallen somewhere and be too injured to return home.”
“Then let us go find her,” said Darcy. “Uncle, if you could host Mr. Bennet?”
“I am coming with you,” said Mr. Bennet. “She is still my daughter.”
“No doubt, sir,” said Darcy. “But you look fairly done in. I will not be responsible for your health.”
“He has a point,” said Lord Matlock when Mr. Bennet appeared to be about to argue the point. “You will do your Daughter no good exhausting yourself.”
“But…”
“Rest but a few hours,” continued the Earl. “Take your meat with me, rest, and in the morning I shall take you up in my own coach. We shall be in Hertfordshire by afternoon.”
“Well…”
At that point Richard arrived.
“Darcy, the servants are in a panic and your valet is shouting at my batman. What is afoot?”
“My Fiancée is missing from her home.”
“Then what are we waiting for? A carriage will take too long. Let us to horse and I will show you what I have learned in the cavalry!”
Darcy nodded. “Mr. Bennet, Uncle. Until tomorrow.” Then he ran from the room.
***
Darcy’s arrival at Longbourn before breakfast the next morning meant that initially he was only welcomed by the servants. He and Richard were able to make some breakfast and warm themselves beside the fire before Mrs. Bennet descended. Alerted by Mrs. Hill of the identity of the men in her parlor Mrs. Bennet swept in and threw her arms about Mr. Darcy.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy. Thank God you are come.”
“Is there no news?” demanded Darcy.
“No. No. Foolish headstrong girl. She does this just to vex me. Hoyden she has been her whole life and nothing I can say or do to check her.” Then Mrs. Bennet realized whom she was speaking to and continued. “But, of course, as your wife no doubt she will be properly modest and well mannered. I am certain you will not have a moment's concern.”