by Kara Louise
Darcy laughed. “Your uncle gave me quite the interrogation and your aunt gave me the strictest lecture I have ever received about how you deserve only the best. I did assure them that I have no intention of annulling the marriage and that I am deeply in love with you. I believe we all left fairly satisfied in the end.”
Elizabeth shook her head in great incredulity. “I cannot believe you visited my aunt and uncle!”
“Neither can I,” Darcy laughed. “But I did! And I found them very pleasant, indeed! You should expect a letter from your aunt shortly.”
The love and admiration Elizabeth felt for her husband in taking the initiative to visit her aunt and uncle suddenly gave way to a lucid realization of the words he had just spoken.
“What did you just say?”
“You should expect a letter from your aunt shortly.”
“No, before that. You told them that you have no intention of annulling the marriage and…”
He reached out and took each of Elizabeth’s hands in his. “I am deeply in love with you, Elizabeth.”
Tears unexpectedly came to her eyes as he tenderly spoke these words. Searching his face in the darkness that surrounded them, she was able to detect a glimmer in his eyes, as well. “William, I love you, too.”
He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. Lowering his head, he placed a few kisses along her cheek, drawing closer to her ear. Upon reaching it with his lips, he whispered, “I should like to come specifically to talk with your father on the Saturday that Mr. Collins leaves, if that is acceptable to you.”
His attentions caused shivers of delight to course through her and prevented her from being able to attend to his words without making a concerted effort. “That… should be fine.”
“Good,” he said, bringing his hands up to her shoulders and gently stroking her neck with his thumbs. “In the meantime, I believe I should like to join Bingley when he visits your family. Would tomorrow or the following day be satisfactory?”
Elizabeth took in a deep breath to counter the pleasant assault his simple touch was waging within her. “I believe tomorrow would be the better of the two. My two youngest sisters have invited the officers over the following day, and my father is likely to be in a most disagreeable mood that whole day because of it.”
Darcy laughed. “Then if it suits Bingley, we shall come the following day.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, that is the day the officers are coming and my father…”
Darcy nodded and laughed. “And that is why I plan to be there!”
The music began and Darcy extended his hand. “Shall we return inside?”
Instead of answering him, she unexpectedly reached up on her toes and placed a quick, tender kiss on his cheek.
“What was that for?”
Elizabeth tilted her head as she answered. “Does there have to be a reason?”
Darcy laughed. “No, I would never demand a reason for you to kiss me, my love.”
Elizabeth looked up, wishing she could see her husband’s expression. “There is a reason. It is for loving me despite my family.”
She heard him take in a deep breath, and he could discern the pain in her voice.
Darcy pulled her close as he said to her, “I was well aware of the distress you were suffering in there.”
“And what of yourself, William? I cannot help but wonder what influence my family’s ill-mannered behaviour would have had if we had been mere acquaintances and not already married when you met them.”
Darcy paused as he considered her thought.
At length, when he did not answer, Elizabeth responded, “I believe they would have driven you away. You would have been conflicted in your heart and mind, struggling to know whether to follow your feelings or listen to all you have been taught about the woman whom you should marry and the type of family she must have.”
Darcy breathed in deeply, gathering his thoughts. “Elizabeth, it is of no use conjecturing what would have happened if this or that had or had not occurred. I am married to you, I love you, and I would not wish it to be any different. Do you believe me?”
Elizabeth’s heart gave a small leap as he spoke those words. Her eyes filled with tears of joy as she whispered back, “Yes, I believe you.”
He held her close to him, leaning over and placing a kiss on the top of her head just as he had the night she slept in his arms on the ship. Only this time, she was aware of it
They remained still, content to keep themselves in the solitude of this alcove, but Darcy, hearing a rustling in the shrubbery nearby, quickly said, “We must get back. You go on inside, and I shall be in within a few minutes.”
Elizabeth reluctantly pulled away and returned inside the house. Darcy glanced out over to the row of trees and bushes that bordered the alcove. It was too dark to see anything, and not hearing anything more, he quickly opened the door and took himself in.
When they met back inside, they were finally able to dance their second dance, which they did in almost complete silence, quite confident of their love for each other and content simply to enjoy each other’s presence.
As the dance ended, people began to leave, and Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied with the events of the evening. She quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparation of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly see her eldest daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four months.
Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal pleasure. Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the match were quite good enough for her, the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.
If she had not been so set on her second eldest daughter marrying Mr. Collins, she might have paid more heed to the talk that was beginning to circulate about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but she did not consider Elizabeth good enough to tempt a man of his means and therefore paid no notice.
Darcy watched as the Bennets walked out the door. As far as he was concerned the ball was over, but he knew he must remain until the final guests took their leave. He walked over to a window that overlooked the front, and in the subdued light of the torches, watched as Elizabeth was brought up into the carriage.
With a small smile of satisfaction touching his face, he thought to himself, It went superbly! He reproached himself for those days on the ship when he had been reluctant to express his feelings to her. If he had, neither of them would have had these months of wondering, misery, and resignation. How good it felt to tell her he loved her, and even greater to hear her voice the same.
The sound of footsteps behind him and the shrill voice of Caroline Bingley shook him out of his reverie. “Mr. Darcy, there you are!”
Caroline joined him, looking out the window into the darkness. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am that this ball is almost over! Has it not been simply the most wearisome gathering of people you have ever seen?”
When he did not answer, she proceeded. “Those Bennets! You must agree with me, Mr. Darcy, that their incessantly ill behaviour tonight exceeded anything!”
Darcy pursed his lips to avoid lashing out in anger.
“And that Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am still quite unsure as to her reasons for travelling to America. What do we really know of her character? I am still firmly of the opinion that she found herself disgraced and…”
Darcy did not answer her immediately, making a futile attempt to calm himself. He finally broke the silence with definite, but controlled, anger. “Miss Bingley, I have it on the highest authority that she did not travel there to take care of any disgrace , as you call it!”
Caroline’s eyes widened at his anger, but she remained steadfast. “Certainly, sir, anything you hear from her friends and family around this uncivilized neighbourhood would be biased, I am sure, to keep it…”
“It is on my own authority, Miss Bingley
!” Darcy’s eyes glared at her. “Elizabeth Bennet was on the same ship as myself travelling to America! And I can guarantee that she was not in any way disgraced !”
Caroline’s jaw dropped and she felt herself grow suddenly cold. As she gasped at his words, her throat constricted and nothing more than a squawk came out. She quickly swallowed and muttered a conciliatory, “Oh.”
“Now, Miss Bingley, if you will excuse me!”
As Darcy left, he was approached by one of Netherfield’s servants. “Sir, if you would please come up to your room. You are needed there.”
Darcy quickly left for his room and was met by Durnham, who informed him that one of the maids had seen an unknown man leaving his room.
“I have made a thorough going-over of the room, and there are a few pieces of expensive jewellery missing. Your set of diamond cufflinks and a neckcloth pin. I believe it was most likely some ruffian wanting some easy money.”
“Thank you, Durnham.”
The servant looked at Darcy. “Is there anything we can do for you, sir? We deeply apologize for this inconvenience.”
Darcy turned and told him, “There was nothing of consequence taken that cannot be replaced. Let Bingley know so he should have the rest of the house looked over in case he went through other rooms.”
“Yes, sir.”
Darcy was quite surprised by how little this upset him. He was feeling too intoxicated by the lingering warmth of Elizabeth’s embrace and their confessions of love to one another to allow a petty theft to annoy him.
Chapter 26
George Wickham made his way through the darkness to the horse he had tethered in the dense grove of trees that formed a convenient cover for him as he stole away from Netherfield. When he returned to the solitude of his quarters in Meryton, he looked through the various items that he had liberated from his old chum’s room. But it was the simple piece of paper that proved to be most interesting.
A malevolent wave of elation swept over him as he thought back to the events of the evening. He could not determine whether he was more greatly satisfied at what he had been able to secure, what he had seen, what he had heard, or that he was able to accomplish it all without being caught.
He tossed aside the few pieces of jewellery that would garner him a more than adequate amount of gambling money. But in light of the other things he came away with, these small items were inconsequential. His eyes narrowed as he perused what was apparently a marriage certificate. He shook his head as he tried to fathom the circumstances of a marriage between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. A sly smile crept across his face as he realized that no one in this trifling neighbourhood seemed to be aware of it!
Wickham chuckled as he considered how easily he had been able to charm one of Netherfield’s young servant girls into telling him which room Darcy occupied. He leaned back into his chair, giving this piece of paper his undivided attention. The brief thought crossed his mind to attempt to blackmail his old friend, but chances were Darcy would choose to do something noble, such as divulge the truth to everyone rather than pay.
He thought about the bits and pieces of conversation that he overheard as Darcy and this young lady, who bore the esteemed honour of being his secret wife, stood in the shadows. Something about getting married only to have it annulled later. Must have changed their minds, although they obviously are not living together as man and wife.
Wickham shook his head, unsure how all this fit together. He was quite confident, however, that there was some scheme he could come up with using this little piece of paper and this most enlightening morsel of news to his best advantage; something that would pad his pockets at least for a while.
He put the certificate down and began to take off the dark clothing that he had worn to sneak into Netherfield. As he pulled off his shirt, a novel idea came to him.
“Ahhh, yes,” he whispered softly. “I do believe there is someone who would be most interested in what ol’ Darce has been doing these past few months. She ought to pay very handsomely to keep me quiet while she pursues her options to take care of this… problem.”
He ran his fingers over the paper and smiled. When he planned to sneak into Darcy’s room, he had been confident he would be able to garner a few items of value, perhaps shake him up a bit. But he had no idea he would find something like this. And to think I was also able to witness their clandestine meeting!
As he thought about this piece of information that no one else seemed to be aware of, a new idea came to him. A sinister grin spread across his face as he dwelt more on this very promising thought. This could prove to be even more lucrative than I first imagined! This can set me up for life!
He balled his fist and tapped at his chin several times as he considered this. But first, I must get Darcy out of the way for a few days. I cannot let him find out I am here until my plan is complete.
He pondered the best way to ensure that Darcy would immediately leave. What would make Darcy return to Pemberley? Another smile, even more sinister than the first, touched his lips. Of course! I shall use myself!
Picking up a pen and a piece of stationery, Wickham began writing.
Darcy – I think it would be wise for you to return to Pemberley at once. Wickham has been seen for several days now around Lambton and even once on Pemberley’s property. Am concerned for Georgiana, as you might imagine.
He wondered how to sign it and finally decided to simply scrawl an illegible signature.
“There! That should get Darcy hightailing it to Pemberley!”
He folded up the deceptive missive and made plans to have it delivered to Netherfield first thing in the morning.
***
The next morning, the topic of conversation around the Netherfield breakfast table dwelt mainly on the theft. There was much conjecture from the men about who would have done such a thing and some disparaging remarks from the sisters about the type of people that must live in this neighbourhood. But in all her remarks, for some reason, Caroline seemed unusually subdued.
When they were almost finished eating, a note that had just been delivered was brought in for Darcy. He looked at the writing and, not recognizing it, curiously ripped it open. As he read it, his jaw tightened and he slammed his fist down. “Heaven forbid!”
“What is it, Darcy?”
Darcy looked at his friend, in whom he had never confided about his sister and his childhood friend, George Wickham. “Some problems at Pemberley. Unfortunately I must return at once!”
Darcy stood up and summoned Durnham. He sent him up to pack a small bag and a change of clothes and then asked to meet with Bingley alone.
When the two men walked in his study, Bingley closed the door and turned to Darcy. “What is it, Darcy?”
“Bingley, I must ask you to relay a message for me. I can trust only you to do it and I would ask that you do not say anything to anyone, particularly your sister. Do you understand?”
“Yes, friend. Anything. What is it?”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be told that I had to return to Pemberley because of an emergency that has arisen, and I most likely will not return for at least four days. Because of that, I will not be able to pay her a visit as I had hoped. I will put it all in a note. Will you be so kind and see that she discreetly receives it?”
“Of course.” Bingley looked at him oddly. “Darcy, may I ask a question?”
“Certainly.”
“Did something happen here at Netherfield between you and Miss Elizabeth that I was not aware of? Have you taken a liking to her?”
Darcy looked up into Bingley’s jovial face. “I have taken more than a liking to her, Bingley, but it did not happen at Netherfield.” Turning his head and looking out the window, he said, “It happened two years ago.”
***
Mr. Bingley came by Longbourn in the late morning. He brought along with him the note from Darcy, and was able to give it to Elizabeth undetected.
She stole away to the privacy of her r
oom to read his words to her.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I hope this finds you well. Unfortunately, this morning I received some news that has disturbed me greatly. I find it necessary to leave immediately for Pemberley for the sake of my sister and my own peace of mind.
Please accept my regret at having to leave again. Trust that my thoughts will dwell on you for the duration of my journey. Once I have secured the safety of Georgiana, I shall return to Netherfield with her and hope that we can begin on that course that we determined. I look forward, as well, to you renewing your acquaintance with my beloved sister.
I leave the greater piece of my heart with you here as I depart for Pemberley.
Until my return, FD
Elizabeth was disappointed, but her heart was touched by his words and she treasured them deep within her.
She returned downstairs and was able to visit with Jane and Bingley for a short time before they left to spend the day at Netherfield with his sisters.
Her distress increased, however, when Mr. Collins decided this would be the day he would make his declaration in form. On finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, he solicited for the honour of a private audience with her.
With a wave of mortification passing over Elizabeth and forceful insistence from her mother, Elizabeth found herself alone with Mr. Collins.
The few minutes she hoped it would take to politely refuse his proposal became increasingly long as he would not believe that her “no” truly meant no.
Collins continued to prattle on and Elizabeth came to dread that the only response that might satisfy him was if she declared she was already married. Knowing not what else to do, she insisted she could not and would not marry him one last time, and turned to depart the room.
As Elizabeth quickly left, eager to seek the solitude of her own chambers, she encountered her mother, who possessed a rather congratulatory look about her. She joined Mr. Collins, offering up warm congratulations on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins, however, related to her what happened, still believing Elizabeth’s refusal to be part of her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.