by Beth Massey
Lord Elderton nodded his agreement, and rang to have Lady Catherine summoned to his study. He asked Mr Bennet to move to a chair that was not directly in front of his desk. Next a compromise, of sorts, was reached that allowed Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lydia’s father to observe; but not participate in what would surely be a humiliating experience for his sister.
When Lady Catherine arrived, she—as her brother expected—objected to Mr Bennet’s presence. They debated the issue for a few minutes, until Lord Elderton closed the discussion with a steely glance to his sister and the words, “Catherine, you insulted his daughters in the presence of a servant. If you would prefer, I am sure we could bring in one of my footmen to substitute for Mr Bennet. Perhaps Arthur—who you are forever threatening with your cane—would appreciate hearing the sordid story of your marriage to Sir Lewis de Bourgh.”
Lady Catherine now knew the exact nature of the humiliation she could expect. She donned her most imperious countenance and glared at her brother in preparation for his admonishment. It came from another.
“Lady Catherine, there are four young people who are marrying on Thursday. One is your nephew. You perpetuated the myth that Lady Anne wanted him to marry your daughter. You, your brother and I all know; nothing could be further from the truth. Your sister and her husband married for love and wanted the same for their children. They were the talk of the ton, as were Susan and I. I believe you objected to your sister’s marriage to the untitled George Darcy.”
Lord Blessing was secretly pleased she chose not to reply. He was tired and preferred to get this nasty business over without an argument. “You pursued me relentlessly all in the hope you could marry an earl and become a countess. No attempt was made by you to hide your goal. Those who observed you knew you had no true feelings for me. You were a vulgar huntress, as were many young women of our age. More and more the exceptions to that style became appreciated by a small band of young men who wanted their marriages to be something more than increased wealth and improved social status. Your nephew is following in his father’s footsteps. He plans to marry Miss Elizabeth for the content of her heart and her character. My son Jon has chosen her sister for similar reasons.”
Lady Catherine could not keep quiet at that statement. “Miss Lydia Bennet eloped with the son of Mr Darcy’s steward, and was alone for several days with him. She is a harlot.”
The Earl of Blessing could hear Mr Bennet’s gasp at her words, but was pleased he restrained himself from speaking. “Lady Catherine, she was a fifteen-year-old child led astray by a cad… the same cad, I might add, who persuaded your fifteen-year-old niece to elope with him. Luckily, Mr Darcy was able to stop them and saved Miss Darcy’s reputation.” For a few seconds, he paused remembering Lady Sarah’s youthful folly. “My own sister, as you know, eloped. She now regrets her decision, but she did not run away because she was a harlot. At the time, she believed she loved Captain Rowley… just as Miss Lydia believed she loved Lieutenant Wickham. He was even more dissolute than Captain Rowley, for he had no intention of ever marrying her. But with the help of my sister, Mr Darcy saved the day. This Mr Wickham was a true degenerate and was planning to sell Miss Lydia to a brothel.”
“Why would that change my mind about her being a harlot? Lady Sarah… Mrs Rowley runs a brothel. I know for a fact that both my nephew and your son have spent a great deal of time at her establishment, over the years. That is why I felt it important to let Mr Bennet’s daughters know of their betrotheds’ depraved behaviour, and to warn them to expect a continuation of their lascivious habits after marriage.”
“Not only did your nephew, Mr Darcy, frequent my sister’s establishment; but both of Lord Elderton’s sons and my other son, the Reverend Holmes, did as well.” Again Lord Blessing seemed to be remembering something in the past. “I believe George Darcy did as well after Lady Anne died. I did not after Susan’s passing. Sarah’s house was very different than the others in London. My sister was scrupulous at protecting the women and customers from disease. One of her motives for opening the brothel was to provide a safe place for my son, Jon, a great favourite of hers, to sow his wild oats.”
The Earl of Blessing took a drink of water from the glass Lord Elderton had provided. He had been talking a great deal and was feeling parched. “Your brother-in-law had a very well thought out plan when he took young Darcy to her. He wanted to both protect him from the pressures of marrying just to have an itch scratched, but more importantly, he wanted his son to learn how to please a wife he would marry for love.”
“George was a romantic fool, and I believe his son is just like him.”
“Yes, but he and your sister were happy, and I believe the same will be true for Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth.”
Lady Catherine did not immediately come up with a rejoinder. Instead she stared at Lord Blessing with contempt.
His lordship’s look was devoid of emotion on the outside, but inside he was anticipating his final blow. “If I am not mistaken, you chose to marry for other reasons. George and Anne had been married for two years before you chose a husband. You were the older sister and rapidly approaching spinsterhood.” He watched the woman beside him squirm a bit in discomfort before he continued. “When you were unable to find an earl, you decided, instead, on great wealth. Sir Lewis de Bourgh was only a baronet, but I believe you thought his great wealth would compensate for other deficiencies.” Another pause and another sip of water allowed his cut to find its mark. “I heard from my daughter that among the disgusting things you said to Miss Elizabeth was that Mr Darcy and Jon wanted the naïve Bennet sisters to play the beard for them. Their marriages would give them the cover to dally.”
Lady Catherine pumped herself up to her full height and spewed forth some provocative and unwise words. “That is precisely what they are planning. Why else would they marry silly country girls who were raised with no governess? They know nothing of the ways of men.”
Again Lord Blessing heard a sound of distress coming from Mr Bennet. He, however, was not distracted. He knew he was getting close to destroying this woman with his next revelation. He had given her the rope with which she would hang. “Lady Catherine you really should get your story straight. You accused both of these young women of being very knowledgeable in the ways of alluring men. You even said—for all to hear—that Miss Elizabeth had secured your nephew by allowing him to come to her and share her bed before marriage. Which is she… a naïve young woman that your nephew is able to trick… or a wanton seductress?”
As he expected, Lady Catherine did not reply. “Let us take both possibilities and examine their potential. Miss Elizabeth is staying in what will become her room on Thursday, but Mr. Darcy is staying at my house. All of the young women, including my daughter Eleanor, are staying at Darcy House; and all the young men, including Lord Elderton’s son Richard, are staying at Blessing House. Miss Elizabeth is well chaperoned. I think your accusation is just so much bombast. If you try to spread such a rumour, I will ensure it is countered with the truth of the situation. The newspapers that write snippets of information about the upcoming weddings could probably be persuaded to expose your lies with the facts.”
Lord Blessing, knowing that his next words would be the ones that devastated, took a deep breath. “You accused my son and your nephew of toying with these two young women in order to continue seeing courtesans after they marry. You, of all people are uniquely qualified to know what that is about. Sir Lewis was probably the most degenerate man I have ever known. I believe he was considered more dissolute in his habits than even the Prince Regent. His depravity often provided entertaining gossip for many of the ton while he was alive. Was the wealth you gained worth being married to such a man? My son and your nephew have no such intentions. My sister would never have allowed your husband to visit her house, as he was obviously diseased. How fortunate for you he died after only a few years of marriage.”
He could not say he felt enjoyment humiliating this woman, but she had to b
e stopped from spreading her falsehoods. “It is also fortunate you had the good sense not to let him near you once your daughter Anne was conceived. You appear quite healthy, so I believe you were spared. I have heard your daughter is not a very robust young woman. Do you fear he infected her?”
The Earl of Blessing prepared to deliver his ultimatum. He was exhausted, but knew he must continue on until she surrendered. “Catherine, you were wise to keep a low profile when you came to London, and to never visit during the Season. Staying in Kent, and allowing the talk of his depravity to die with him, was a sensible choice. I suggest you choose a similar course now. If you spread rumours about your nephew and my son in order to ruin their marriages, I will see to it that gossip about you and Sir Lewis is renewed.”
He saw the fear in her eyes, but still she persisted. “I could counter with tales about Lady Sarah and her brothel.”
“You could, but unlike Sir Lewis, she has always been very circumspect. There are many peers who would not appreciate such talk. Her house had a very elite cliental who appreciated the discreet way in which she ran her business. You would definitely incur some well-positioned wrath. It is not in anyone’s interest to talk about those who visited her establishment.”
During the course of their conversation her anger had been displaced by apprehension. She appeared to deflate with his last pronouncement.
Her brother attempted to smile at his sister, but she rebuffed his look. She was ready to concede in fact, but not in attitude. Lord Elderton said, “Cathy, go back to Kent. No one will notice you did not attend Fitzwilliam’s wedding. You have been blaming everybody but yourself for the unhappiness of your life. Shut the door on this thirty-year-old delusion, and let these young people have the lives they have chosen.” Once again he attempted to make eye contact with her. He had one last piece of information to deliver, and he feared the knowledge would cause her to renew her struggle. “Anne would like to attend the wedding. She came to me this morning to solicit my support. As she is of age, she does not need your permission. However, she is a dutiful daughter and asked that I intervene with you on her behalf.
His sister said nothing so he proceeded with his last bit of devastating news. “She will stay with us in London during the Little Season, and then return with us to Derbyshire for the winter.” His voice became consoling. “I do not believe Sir Lewis caused her illness. As you remember, our sister also suffered from similar symptoms. Anne should see doctors to get their opinion of her health. Catherine, please, she also deserves some happiness; and I plan to help her achieve just that. If you fight me on this, I will be forced to break with you forever.”
Lady Catherine could do nothing but nod in silence. The handwriting was on the wall. Anything she would attempt would be checked by her brother and Lord Blessing… they were both in the House of Lords. They had the power to see she was hurt far more than those silly Bennet sisters.
Fitzwilliam Darcy had decided to wait to see Elizabeth’s response to her conversation with Bella. If they were to wed, he must allow her to tell him in her own way
Five hours after she left the park, James delivered two items. One was a substantial wooden box and the other a book wrapped in brown paper. He opened the box first to find a beautiful hand carved chess set. Though not an outrageously expensive one, it had portability as its chief recommendation. Still, the carved and polished wood—he believed one set of pieces was walnut and the other ash—made it a very handsome set. She had asked for a chess set for the cottage. He took this as a good sign, but decided not to make any evaluation of her decision until he read her dedication.
He tore open the paper, and saw before him the copy of The Rivals she had bought to aid Lydia. He held his breath as he opened the cover. The dedication page pasted into the front had been folded and was a bit worse for wear. Certain it was the paper he had given her to hold the lock of his hair, he smiled with the knowledge she still carried it with her. When she had written her letters, the quality of her script had been the last thing on his mind. This time he noticed its girlish quality. Sometimes he forgot she was closer in age to Georgiana than to him. Her intelligence and wit often caused him to perceive her to be older than she was. He began to read.
September 1812
To my dearest Will,
“I own the soft impeachment.” For all her twisted and misused words in the end Mrs Malaprop atones so eloquently. I owe you an apology, but I am unable to think of anything poignant or poetic. Instead I will speak plainly and from my heart. I have been guilty of twisting—not my words—but yours. I have not been listening as you told me of your love and constancy, but instead replaced them with remembered words from the assembly and the Grecian temple in Kent. Even though you redressed the error of your remarks and your apologies numbered more than one hundred—still, I would not hear. This my one true attempt at owning the soft impeachment is paltry compared to your many.
I will never be able to take back my words this morning that implied you were not honourable and said with such certainty that you are degenerate. But now I must tell you the truth. Will, you are the best of men. You saved Lydia and my family from ruin, and I ignored that as I cast my cruel words.
You have told me it excites you when I become angry. Still, I never again want us to express ourselves the way we did this morning. As I remember back to that day in Kent, I must admit I was, indeed, titillated when you almost kissed me despite my furious words. Perhaps if you had, and I had responded the way I was inclined… we would be in our cottage playing chess. When we initiate this new set, the stakes should be appropriately high. Right at the moment, I am unsure what I would want should I defeat you—and know dearest, I will. Should you be forced to write or read me a sonnet? I have forgotten what we concluded that day. Was it your pen or your sword that was mightier than your tongue, my beautiful Achilles? I am all a quiver just trying to remember.
I am looking forward to Thursday.
Love from your luscious Lizzy.
First he laughed. When the laughter subsided, it was replaced with a smile. The smile reached his eyes and probably his ears and scalp as well. Quickly, he gathered the box and book, and headed across the park to Darcy House. He whistled as he walked and wished he could dance a reel… with her.
When he reached his house he asked James to find Miss Elizabeth and have her join him in his study. James’ smile was almost as broad as Darcy’s as he went in search of the woman who would become mistress of this house.
She entered cautiously, and he could see the telltale tracks of tears. But he also noticed she had come prepared with a brave smile. He returned the one he had been wearing since reading her dedication. She ran to him.
Picking her up, he sat with her in his lap—not on the chair in front of his desk from this morning—but on the sofa by the fireplace. He kissed her. His kiss was soft and filled with reconciliation. They were occupied thusly for several minutes when she pulled away and said, “Does this mean you are accepting my apology?”
The boom of his laughter filled the room. “I am. But, I would be dishonest if I did not admit that when I read your dedication, I thought of turning you over my knee and spanking your soft impeachment. Of course, next, my thoughts turned to punishing you with kisses.”
Her laugh tinkled rather than boomed, and once again they shared a kiss. This one was slightly more passionate than the last. She drew apart and her look was serious. “We must wait until Thursday. We have tested God’s forgiveness enough.”
Her words prompted a hug, followed by another kiss… this time with his tongue exploring her mouth.
Pulling back to see the intent in his eyes, her expression was serious as she said, “I meant what I said, Will.”
“I know you do, and I am not suggesting anything more than cuddling for a few minutes.” Suddenly his face became contemplative and he said, “However, I believe a candid conversation with some additional confessions might be in order. I am willing to go first.”
/> She looked sceptical, but agreed. At least she had time to think of what she wanted to say. At this moment the realization of her cruelty this morning was still fresh on her mind. She had not totally digested everything Bella had said, despite the fact she had finally become aware of the depth of his love while listening to her words. Next her mother had visited, and her revelation had been the topic of her thoughts when she was summoned. Could she handle more confessions?
Darcy pulled her back to him, and rested his chin upon her head. His voice belied little emotion. He had a similar story telling style to that she had heard this morning. “I believe you deserve an explanation of the exact nature of my friendship with Bella. I am not even certain she knows the reason I have turned to her when I am troubled over the years. In the beginning, we were just two young people with similar temperaments who grew to a certain maturity together. Yes, our acquaintance began through the giving of sexual pleasure… or perhaps it is more precise to say she pleased me. Over the years I recognized pretence in her eyes; so I am not certain how she felt about my ministrations. Many times over the years, she did assure me my wife would enjoy my skill. As time went by, it was spending the night and talking of our youthful hopes and dreams that quickly became what I craved. My certainty that I was destined for a great love and a magical marriage intrigued her, but she could not imagine it was for her. Besides, the fact she was convinced no decent man would wed a woman who sold her body, she had some ambiguity to the very idea of marriage… and men. She refused to concede it could ever be blissful or magical. She once told me her idea of being wed was shortly after the honeymoon, women become with child, and sooner or later they die giving birth. Her notion did give me pause. Had my mother been weakened when bearing Georgiana?”