by A K Madison
Collins was relieved that he was able to wash and change before seeking the company of his fair Charlotte. She was becoming awkward and ungainly as she increased, but the pregnancy seemed also to have increased the size of her bosom. He banished such thoughts as unworthy as he accepted a cup of tea from her. “Charlotte, have you seen anything of my dear cousins recently? I know that you and Cousin Elizabeth are the best of friends. Would you not like to invite her to tea? Perhaps she might wish to see the nursery you are creating for our little olive branch.” He smiled beatifically.
Charlotte, who had been well acquainted with her husband’s actions by some of the servants, privately thought that her husband had taken leave of his senses. “I am afraid not, Mr. Collins. There exists at the moment a certain disquiet between our two families over some of the recent misunderstandings.” She picked up the tiny garment she had been stitching and began to work on it again. “I am sure it will soon be straightened out.”
“Perhaps you are right, my dear. Nevertheless, I wish you to make every effort to invite your friend for tea. See that you do so.”
“I shall try, Mr. Collins.” She took another few stitches. “How are you coming with the arrangement of your library?”
“Almost finished.”
“Perhaps you should work on it after your walk around the estate this morning.”
“An excellent idea, my dear. I shall do that now.” Collins stood up, bowed to his wife, and left the room.
Elizabeth and Darcy rode up the hill to Netherfield and around to the stables. Once Darcy had helped Elizabeth down, she dismissed the groom and led Noor into her stall, unsaddling her and giving her a thorough rubdown, followed by a careful grooming. Darcy, seeing to his own horse in an adjoining stall, was enchanted by the fact that Elizabeth kept up a running conversation with the mare throughout the entire process. He was impressed when he noticed Elizabeth checking each leg and hoof, inspecting for stray pebbles, loose shoes, undue heat in the legs, and anything else amiss. She made sure that Noor’s hay net was full for her and that there was plenty of water before bidding the horse a gentle goodbye. On her way out, she noticed some fresh droppings, and these she raked out before closing the stall.
“I do love her, Fitzwilliam,” she said, taking his offered arm. “She is the dearest horse, and so gentle. Her manners are perfect.”
“I love the way you take care of her. You omit nothing, even to mucking out after her.”
“She deserves it.”
“You and she deserve each other, I think. You are two of a kind. Each of you is every inch a lady, yet of your own kind, each of you is eternally feminine. I do love you, Elizabeth.”
They shared a passionate kiss—or two, or three-in the cool shade of the woods before emerging to the lane in front of Rose Cottage.
Chapter 23
“Mr. Darcy, this neighborhood is beautiful. The homes are so imposing, set in their lovely gardens. The parks and squares are so well maintained, and the streets are immaculate. Even the shops are attractive.” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed over the beauty of the neighborhood that served as home to both the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families.
The carriage drew up before one of the grander houses. “You are very welcome to Matlock House,” said Darcy, smiling as he handed each lady down. A tall lady with grey hair, stood on the steps to greet them. Standing next to her was an equally tall young lady who could not be mistaken for anyone but a close relative of Fitzwilliam Darcy. And indeed, Darcy took great pleasure in presenting them to his aunt and his sister.
“I am delighted to meet you, Mrs. Bennet,” said Lady Matlock. “Your daughter has already charmed us with her wonderful letters, which Georgiana shares with us.”
“You are so kind to welcome us into your home, my lady,” replied Mrs. Bennet. “We have been looking forward to this visit for weeks.
“As have I,” replied Lady Matlock. “We shall have a delicious week of shopping, gowns, and all things related to a wedding.”
Georgiana was meanwhile welcoming Elizabeth. She was a tall, well-grown girl of sixteen with a pleasing, womanly figure. Elizabeth’s first impression was that she was shy, and this was borne out by her many blushes and her quiet voice. Still, the two young ladies managed to chat pleasantly as they ascended the steps and entered Matlock House.
“We are not standing on ceremony,” said Lady Matlock as they stood in the front hallway. “Georgiana, you may show Miss Bennet to her rooms, and Mrs. Bennet, do you come with me. You will no doubt wish to make yourselves comfortable, and then we will have tea and a nice chat.” She turned. “Darcy, darling. Your uncle is undoubtedly in his study. When you find him, tell him we will gather for tea in about a half-hour.” She drew Mrs. Bennet’s arm through her own, and the ladies went upstairs.
They had been assigned rooms in the family quarters. Elizabeth shared a sitting room with her mother and found that Georgiana’s rooms were just down the hall. Maids were already unpacking their trunks, and they were given an opportunity to refresh themselves before being escorted downstairs to a comfortable parlor, where Lady Matlock, Darcy, and Georgiana were waiting to greet them. A distinguished-looking, balding gentleman with twinkling blue eyes approached. “Nephew, please do me the honor of introducing these lovely ladies.” The Earl of Matlock made them feel welcome and at ease, with his warm, easy manner and endless string of compliments.
“Now,” said the Countess when everyone had been served. “I thought you ladies might prefer an evening of relaxation tonight, so we will gather for a family dinner without any guests or ceremony. Darcy, you are more than welcome to return and join us. In fact, I do not know why you do not plan to stay here.”
“Thank you, aunt. But this trip to Town gives me the opportunity to take care of any business affairs that may have been lagging so that I can enjoy the summer with a clear conscience.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “However, I will gratefully accept your invitation to dine.”
“Good. Tomorrow morning, we must be up betimes, and we shall leave directly after breakfast and go to collect Mrs. Gardiner before making our way to the warehouse.” She turned to Mrs. Bennet. “Your sister and I have had the most delightful time getting to know each other, Mrs. Bennet. She spent much of her childhood in Lambton, which is but five miles from Pemberley. And we find that we avail ourselves of the services of the same modiste, Mrs. Marley.”
“She speaks of Mrs. Marley all the time, and very highly. I am looking forward to visiting the establishment.”
“I can promise you, Mrs. Bennet, you will not be disappointed.” Lady Matlock turned to look at her husband and her nephew. “If you gentlemen have finished your tea, you may take yourselves off at any time,” she said airily. “Alpheus and Alexandra are in town and will be joining us for dinner.” She turned back to the Bennets. “Alpheus is our older son, Viscount Linville, and Alexandra is his wife. They will be leaving Town in a few days, but your visits will overlap until then.”
Darcy and the Earl rose and after saying their farewells, left the parlor while the ladies turned their attention to matters of color and style. “I had assumed the girls would join me in wearing deep mourning for their father for a year,” said Mrs. Bennet. “But there really is no established custom requiring them to do so. Does it not make a great deal more sense for them to emerge from their mourning for the wedding? It seems impractical to purchase wedding clothes for Lizzy in mourning styles.”
“While I applaud you for adhering to the old ways, madam, I think in this case you are right. What have you to say, Miss Bennet?”
“It makes a great deal of sense to me,” replied Elizabeth. “It seems a wasteful extravagance otherwise-almost like ordering a set of clothes that will hardly be used.”
“Our visit tomorrow will be to your uncle’s warehouse,” said the Countess. “Your aunt and I have discussed this at length, and I must confess I have never been to a warehouse. All that beautiful cloth spread out for us to make our selections.”
�
��Miss Darcy, will you be joining us?”
“Yes, Mrs. Bennet. I would not miss such a wondrous place for anything.”
“My brother usually has one of his clerks assigned to accompany us. The man will oversee our selections, assist us with whatever we require, and ensure that our choices are delivered. And it is indeed a very enjoyable experience. I shall be selecting a new black silk for myself for the wedding, though I will have it made up by the dressmaker in Meryton. And Lizzy, let us not forget your sisters.”
“They will be ecstatic to be let out of their black,” replied Elizabeth drily.
The Countess had just poured out more tea when feminine voices were heard in the hall. The door opened to admit two ladies. The first, a small brunette, was opulently dressed, and Elizabeth did not recognize her. The second was Caroline Bingley.
“Oh, there you are, Alexandra. I had begun to wonder if you had gotten quite lost.” Lady Matlock drew her mouth into a straight line. “How do you do, Miss Bingley?” She turned toward the Bennets. “Alexandra, this is Mrs. Thomas Bennet and her daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Bennet, this is my elder son’s wife, Lady Linville. I believe you know Miss Bingley.”
When all had been properly greeted, Elizabeth spoke to Caroline Bingley. “We had not expected to see you here, Caroline. Were you not expected at Netherfield with the Hursts?”
“Poor dear Jane. As if all the fuss surrounding the move were not enough, she now has an elderly vicar and his curate on her hands. Of course, Darcy is never any trouble, but she has a wedding to plan on top of it all. Dear Eliza, what can you and your family have been thinking?”
“I believe they must have been thinking how much we all appreciate Mrs. Bingley. I know that is what I have been thinking.” Darcy’s voice sounded from the doorway.
“My dearest Darcy!” cried Caroline. “What on earth brings you here? I am delighted to see you.” She advanced with agility, crowding past Elizabeth and moving to take Darcy’s arm.
Darcy’s look of disgust would have daunted a lesser woman. He patiently disengaged himself before replying, moving to stand beside his betrothed and pulling her arm through his own. “Alexandra. Miss Bingley. How do you do?” He bowed curtly. “I am come to take my leave of my aunt and the other ladies here, including my betrothed. Aunt, Miss Bennet, I will join you at dinner this evening.” He breathed a kiss over Elizabeth’s hand leaving the exact and proper distance between his lips and her flesh. “Mrs. Bennet, Georgiana. I shall look forward to seeing you this evening.” This was said with an entirely correct bow. It was a complex series of greetings and farewells, and Darcy executed it flawlessly. His aunt’s eyes brimmed with something that looked suspiciously like mischief as she said, “Until this evening, my dear nephew.”
Caroline stood. “I must be going, Lady Matlock. I stopped only to bring Lady Linville home from Gunter’s.” She made a deep curtsy and turned to the Viscountess. “Dear Alexandra, will we see you again before your departure?”
“I hope so, Caroline. We owe ourselves one more comfortable cose, do we not?”
“Indeed, we do. Good-bye, dear Georgiana.” With that, Caroline left the room without acknowledging the Bennets. Georgiana’s eyes grew as large as saucers, and she blushed deeply.”
“Please do not distress yourself, Miss Darcy. We are accustomed to Miss Bingley’s odd notions of courtesy.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at the younger girl. “I understand you are fond of music. Mary is the musician in our family, though I play and sing a little.”
“My brother says it gives him great pleasure to hear you play. You must play for us while you are here.”
Once again they fell to discussing fashionable colors and styles, and eventually the Countess sent someone for the household collection of ladies’ fashion magazines. Lady Linville had nothing to say, and she eventually stood abruptly and left the room. Elizabeth spent considerable time standing in the middle of the room being stared at through narrowed eyes by the Countess, her mother, and Georgiana.
At some point during the afternoon, naming conventions were relaxed, and Elizabeth could not remember a more delightful time with new acquaintances. She said as much to the Countess and added, “And we have not yet set foot in the warehouse, much less a shop.”
“Yes, my dear girl, and we must concern ourselves with next year, and we have not talked about that at all. Georgiana will have her first Season next year, and it will be your Season as well. You and she may be presented at Court at the same time. There will, of course, be a ball for Georgiana, and we should give one for you and Darcy, as well as other festivities. You will be stupefied by the number of gowns required to get through all of this. Fortunately, Darcy is somewhat inured to it because he has been handling Georgiana’s bills for a few years now.”
“Surely we are not choosing all those now, Alice,” said Mrs. Bennet. “It does not seem to me to be a wise course. After all, marriage has its consequences.” She laughed and patted Elizabeth about her middle, which caused the Countess to laugh.
“Oh, those little consequences. And you and I know well, Fanny, that little consequences grow into large ones.”
“They certainly do.”
“However, you are right. This will be a trip to choose items for the first year. We will all come to London well in advance of the Season to bespeak gowns for all of those events. That way any little consequences can be nicely accommodated.” The Countess turned to the rest of the group. “Ladies, let us retire upstairs to rest for dinner. There will be maids to assist you, but we have time to rest for an hour or so before dressing. Tomorrow will be a long day.”
Elizabeth joined the others in the drawing-room before dinner and received a small glass of wine from the Earl. She caught sight of Darcy across the room, talking with his aunt, and watched him quietly for a moment. There were times when she could scarcely believe how handsome he was, and this evening he fairly took her breath away. He was dressed in black for dinner, wearing a waistcoat of a creamy, warm white with dull bronze threads running through it.
Her moment of admiration was short-lived as he caught sight of her and smiled. His delight was writ plain on his face, and the sheer intimacy of the smile, intended for her alone, left her weak in the knees as the other people in the room seemed to fade into the distance. Then the spell was broken as he said something to his aunt and came to her side.
“I missed you this afternoon.” His voice was so soft that no one but she could hear it. “I kept thinking that soon I will be able to share Darcy House with you and it will be our home together.” She could feel the warmth coming from him, and he smelled deliciously of sandalwood and cedar and clean linen, and she suddenly wanted to climb him like a tree.
“Ah, Mr. Darcy, you are a handsome devil. Well-spoken, too. What man but you can make me feel faint simply by looking at me from across the room?” She allowed him to draw her arm through his.
“If there is another such man, you must let me know immediately so that I can kill him. Such smiles as the one you just bestowed must be for none but me.”
They carried on this entire conversation in an undertone, and no one but themselves was the wiser. But it could not last, and a plumpish young man with a jovial smile approached them. “Linville,” said Darcy. “May I present Miss Bennet, my betrothed. Elizabeth, this is my cousin, Viscount Linville.”
Elizabeth curtsied prettily, and as she rose, said, “You must be the elder brother of Colonel Fitzwilliam, then. I had the pleasure of getting to know him last spring when we were all at Hunsford.”
Linville smiled, and Elizabeth decided that his eyes crinkled in a friendly way. “Ah, but you must not hold that against me, Miss Bennet. I am far more civilized. Welcome to the family. I understand you are in Town to do a bit of shopping. Be assured you are in the best of hands with my mother.”
Elizabeth smiled and was about to reply when Lady Linville approached and took her husband’s arm. “I should like to speak to you, Linville,” was all she said,
offering no acknowledgment of the others. “Over here.” Linville managed an apologetic bow and departed with his wife.
“If I had to make a guess, I should say she dislikes me,” said Elizabeth.
“Pay her no mind. She dislikes everyone,” replied her betrothed. “With the possible exception of Miss Caroline Bingley.”
“Oh, you must tell,” said Elizabeth, dark eyes brimming with wickedness.
But before he could impart any secrets, dinner was announced, and they took their places to go into the dining room.
In due course, Lady Matlock and the other ladies rose to withdraw, and Elizabeth found herself walking out arm in arm with Georgiana. “I am shocked at the way my cousin’s wife is treating you and your mother,” whispered the younger girl.
“Do not be, dearest. People with such abominable manners generally reap what they sow.”
“You know, Miss Bingley has always made me uncomfortable. It seems she is cultivating me to get at Fitzwilliam. How can she have such a likeable, gentlemanlike brother and be so dreadful herself?”
Elizabeth and Georgiana had settled themselves on a small sofa near a window, and they were conversing in tones quiet enough to ensure their privacy.
“Do not let her disturb your peace too much, Georgiana. Do you find you must be a great deal in her company?”
“Well, at the moment, yes, since I am staying here. But the Viscount and Lady Alexandra are—”
“What are you saying, dear Georgiana?” This from the Viscountess herself. “Come now, do not keep it to yourself.” There was an edge to her voice that Elizabeth could not like.