“Mom, please don’t. I explained to you that George Wickham drugged his drink and mine. Mr. Darcy was a victim as much as I was.”
“Oh Lizzy, he probably put Wickham up to it.”
“I can assure you he did no such thing, Mom.”
“Well, he still hasn’t given you anything to make up for it.”
If you only knew, thought Lizzy, deciding it was best to drop the subject for now. Her mind was racing. Did his aunt already tell him about the baby? If she had, what was his reaction? Was that why he was coming here tonight?
She quickly finished the salad and went to her room to change. She needed all the courage she could muster. Looking through her closet she came across a red sundress from the end of summer sale at one of the nicer stores at the mall. She had gone into the store hoping to find a bargain or two on the classy business suits usually out of her price range. While going through the sales racks she came across a dress she didn’t need but loved. The color and fit were perfectly flattering, and she bought it on a whim, telling herself she’d find a jacket to wear over it, making it appropriate for work. But she never had found the right jacket to pair it with. The tags were still on it.
She smiled. There was only one thing she remembered about that night in Vegas; she’d complimented Will’s red tie and he’d said it was a power color. “Let’s hope it’s true,” she said aloud, taking the dress off the hanger.”
When she heard car doors, and then the doorbell, her heart started to race. “I know it’s here somewhere...” she said as she searched for the lipstick color she rarely wore. She opened the tube and compared it to her dress. Perfect match. Taking a deep breath she went downstairs to join the others.
Most of the family was in the living room entertaining their guests. As Lizzy approached the room she could hear Mr. Darcy speaking.
“No, I never was a pilot for the airlines, Lydia. From time to time I just fly small personal aircrafts that belong to my cousin. That’s how I brought your sister home, in one of his planes. He and I…” Will’s mind went blank when he saw Elizabeth walking into the room. Everyone turned to see what had caught his attention.
Elizabeth had never looked more beautiful. She was wearing her hair down, falling in soft ringlets just below her shoulders; the luxurious black mass painted a stunning contrast to the red dress. Most of her makeup was light, resulting in her luminous eyes standing out like jewels against her porcelain skin.
Will’s eyes rested on her full red lips. He could think of nothing else at the moment other than how much he wanted to kiss those lips.
“Lizzy, you look so beautiful!”
“Thank you, Kitty,” her sister answered, very aware of Darcy’s stare.
“Do you have a date tonight?” Lydia asked.
Detecting frustration in her sister’s voice she answered, “No, Lydia, I don’t have a date. Can’t a girl wear a dress sometimes without getting the third degree?”
Kitty countered, “Sure, girls can, but we didn’t know lawyers could.”
“Good one, Kitty,” their mother laughed. “Well dinner is ready, so why don’t we all go into the dining room now.”
Mrs. Bennet ushered everyone into the dining room, with Mr. Darcy trailing behind.
“It’s good to see you back on your feet again, Mrs. Bennet.”
“And you, Mr. Darcy. I see you found your shoes. It would be best if you kept them on tonight,” she replied before leaving him to take her seat across from her husband at the head of the table. As her mother walked past her, Lizzy felt a nudge and when she turned, Mrs. Bennet winked at her.
Will stood there puzzled by her comment, until it dawned on him that she was referring to the Vegas incident. He chuckled to himself. Charles had given him the heads up about Mrs. Bennet.
The meal started and dishes were passed around family style. On picking up a bowl Kitty began to serve herself but stopped. “Mom, what is this?”
“What do you mean? They’re snap peas, of course.”
“No, I don’t think they are,” Will added. “I believe those are edamame.”
Mrs. Bennet rolled her eyes. “You can throw your French words around as much as you like but I can assure you those are not snails, Mr. Darcy.”
“I’m sorry?” Will asked in confusion.
“You’re thinking of escargot, Mom,” Lizzy explained. “Edamame is a soybean. You must have picked them up by mistake. They do look very much like pea pods.”
“And they are both legumes,” Will added, trying to help his hostess out.
“Ugh, they’re disgusting!” Lydia had put the entire pod into her mouth. She spit them out into her napkin.
Charles had been around his future mother-in-law long enough to know that her ego needed saving or her mood would turn sullen quickly.
“They are quite delicious if you know how to eat them, Lydia. You put one end into your mouth and bite. The soybeans will pop into your mouth. Allow me to demonstrate.” After showing those who were unfamiliar with the process how it was done Charles said, “You have outdone yourself, Mrs. Bennet. These are considered a delicacy which you have cooked to perfection. You must try them. Here, we can put the pods in this empty dessert dish after we eat the beans out of them.”
“That is good!” Mrs. Bennet said after eating one. “I must say I didn’t do such a bad job with these French peas. Try one, Louis.”
“I’ll pass. I’m just fine with my meat and potatoes.”
“I’ll have some,” Will said, trying to get on the lady’s good side.
The smile disappeared from Mrs. Bennet’s face and she went back to cutting her meat.
To divert attention away from what had just transpired, Lizzy exerted great effort to steady her voice and asked “Charles, Jane tells me you’ve found a photographer to take your engagement photos. Have you decided on a location yet?”
Charles and Jane looked at each other with wide smiles.
“Yes, we have. It’s going to be in Netherfield Park…where Jane and I have just signed a purchase agreement on a house,” Charles beamed.
Everyone at the table was excited by the news, all giving their congratulations to the couple.
“Netherfield Park is one of the finest suburbs outside the city!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “And not even ten miles from here!”
“And the houses are all mansions!” Kitty added.
“Do you have a pool?” Lydia asked.
“Yes, a very nice one,” Jane answered.
Lydia squealed, “Oh, we’re set now, Kitty! Can we have a pool party? Please? But not the kind you had before. This time can we have a real pool party where everyone actually gets into the pool?”
Charles laughed, “Certainly. After we’re settled, we’ll plan a day and you can invite all your friends.”
“You will finally have a brother now, girls; one who has your best interest at heart. I know you will watch out for them, Charles. If some of your friends overindulge, I trust you will know what to do.”
Understanding her words were directed at his friend, Charles answered uncomfortably, “Yes, of course.”
Will made another attempt at conversing with Mrs. Bennet.
“I believe you met my aunt, Catherine de Bourgh, Mrs. Bennet. I understand she was in the vicinity and paid Elizabeth a little visit. Apparently they know each other through her driver, Mr. Collins.”
“Oh yes, Catherine de Bourgh is your aunt, isn’t she?” Mrs. Bennet asked, the disappointment in her voice easily discernable.
“Yes, she was my mother’s sister.”
“Did she happen to mention anything about the soap?”
“I don’t recall that she did, no.”
“Well….”
Lizzy looked at her mother expecting her to say more, but, disappointed by Darcy’s answer, Mrs. Bennet had nothing more to add.
She did, however wink at her daughter. Lizzy’s face turned crimson, certain she was not the only one to notice.
Chapter Fort
y-Three
When dinner ended, Charles invited Will and Elizabeth to go for a drive with him and Jane. “The sky is clear and there’s a meteor shower tonight, but we’ll need to get farther away from the city lights,” he smiled enthusiastically.
Elizabeth readily agreed, grabbed a light wrap from the coat closet and mustered up all the courage she could. She had decided she would speak to Will about the baby tonight. She didn’t know if his aunt had already told him, but regardless, they needed to talk.
They drove for about an hour, with Elizabeth and Will sitting quietly in the back seat for the first half hour as Jane told them all about the wedding preparations.
Charles had lots of questions and seemed sincerely interested in every detail. “And what about your mother? Is she getting involved in the planning?”
Jane glanced back at Elizabeth as if she didn’t quite know how to respond to that particular question.
Elizabeth answered for her, “Well, yes, Mom is full of ideas.”
Darcy’s mouth twitched. “Such as?”
Elizabeth laughed. “She watched a Bollywood movie the other night and decided then and there that she hated everything that had been planned and wanted to go with that for a theme. Can you imagine the invitation requiring all the guests dressing up for a themed wedding like that? Can you imagine the looks on the faces of the staff at the venue?”
Darcy teasingly replied, “Actually I can. I bet it would be the most talked about event for a long time to come. Of course, I for one think the idea has great potential. I would gladly turn up in brightly colored silk and brocade.”
“Be careful, Mr. Darcy. I might actually hold you to that.”
Charles laughed. “Careful, Will. Remember you’re dealing with a fellow person of the law, my friend, and a rather sharp one at that.”
“Yes, I learned long ago that I need to be careful with this one.” Darcy gave Elizabeth a long, meaningful look, his eyes resting on her lips for a few seconds.
Elizabeth had to swallow hard before she could reply. Forcing herself to sound playful instead of nervous as her heart began to race, she said, “Indeed, that is good advice. You should watch your back around me, Mr. Darcy.”
“True, you did have me on it once, didn’t you?”
Overhearing the exchange and worried she needed to rescue her sister from what she perceived to be an impending argument, Jane brought the subject back to Mrs. Bennet.
“Oh Mom and her ideas! I must warn you, Charles, she can become rather insistent on a certain detail at times. But from years of experience, I have found it best to go along with her for the moment and readdress the subject at a later time. Once she has seen something she prefers to her original idea, she is easily persuaded that it was her first choice all along.”
“I’ve seen you in action, my love, and I must say you are amazing. You would be wonderful at arbitration. But I think I’m learning a lot and getting to know my future mother-in-law and her… unique personality.”
“Bravo, Charles,” Elizabeth replied. “Very diplomatic way of putting that.”
Darcy commented, “Yes, there is certainly much to learn about the Bennets. Case in point, I believe Elizabeth has something she’d like to share with us. I know I would be most appreciative of the enlightenment.”
Elizabeth froze for few seconds. So his aunt had already told him about the baby. Though she was going to tell him herself tonight, her anger began to rise that he would choose to call her out in this manner; in front of Charles and Jane, instead of privately.
“I don’t think we should discuss this now,” she replied curtly.
Darcy laughed. “Oh dear, it must be even worse than I imagined! So, you’re not going to tell us why your mother kept winking at you all evening?”
“Oh! Yes, of course! Mom’s winking,” she answered, flooded with relief.
“What did you think I was talking about?” Darcy asked.
“Oh, nothing. Yes, well, I’m sorry to have to enlighten you but since you insist…Mom wanted me to know when she was finding your company particularly unpleasant. She’s still very upset that you haven’t made me a partner in your firm.”
Darcy threw his head back and laughed, “I thought it must have had something to do with me. I had no idea I was supposed to take you into the firm. Someone should have told me. I wouldn’t be opposed to considering it.”
“I DON’T object, Baby”, Charles added in his best imitation of a certain popular meme.
Laughter erupted among the four of them and continued as they each began to share the most ridiculous of what they’d seen done online with the Vegas incident. Elizabeth felt relief, for the first time being able to see the situation in a comical light.
After driving down a long, winding road with woods on either side, they finally arrived at their destination.
“This is my uncle’s fishing camp,” Charles explained. “My sisters and I spent many happy summers here. I think we should have a pretty good chance of spotting a shooting star or two out here.”
“Elizabeth, would you join me for a walk by the pier?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth smiled at him. “I really did get you all wrong didn’t I? I had you down as the prime example of the stuffed shirt.”
Darcy laughed, “Well, you were probably pretty near the mark. That is, until I met you. Until you turned my life upside down and reminded me what was beyond the so-called perfect world I thought I had built up around me. You gave me the most important gift I’ve ever gotten; you reminded me of what truly matters.” He gently pulled Elizabeth over to the side, his back against the railings that looked down onto the sand and surf below. “Stand here with me for a moment; I have something I need to tell you.”
Elizabeth felt butterflies in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what to expect, though the look of undeniable attraction he was giving her made her heart leap at the prospect of his next words being the ones she wished to hear.
Darcy wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I know I’ve made more than my share of mistakes in my relationship with you, but I promise you my days of assuming the worst and not trusting you are behind me. Elizabeth Bennet, I wanted to tell you that you are an amazing woman, and I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you. Do you think you can give me a chance to win your heart?”
Elizabeth felt her knees go weak with relief and happiness “Well, I must say, you have done a good job in presenting your case, Will. In fact, I would say there’s a very good probability on your winning your case, because it seems I started falling in love with you a while back. You have won my heart already, you see.”
Under the pale, gentle light of the full moon, Darcy kissed her, softly at first, then deeper until the need for air pulled them apart.
After catching her breath Elizabeth asked, “Will, does this have anything at all to do with Catherine?”
He looked genuinely startled by the question. “My aunt Catherine? No. Why?”
“She and I had an encounter of sorts. Where do I begin? It seems she’s been paying a fellow student to spy on me and report back to her. She discovered something that I thought she may have told you. I hope she hasn’t. I wanted to tell you myself.”
“I have no idea what you may want to tell me unless… you’re not in a relationship with someone else are you?”
“No! No, I’m not!”
Will let out a sigh of relief. “My aunt did let me know she knew a bit of news about me that she threatened to tell you if I didn’t do it myself soon. When she texted that she had dropped in to pay a short visit on you and your mother, and that the next visit would be longer, I knew I better come clean before she made good on her threat. I hope you can forgive me, Elizabeth.”
“What is it?”
“I never filed the annulment papers. We’re still legally married.”
Will couldn’t read Elizabeth’s reaction, but good or bad, there was no turning back now. He had to try to explain, “I was hoping to have
time to show you a man you would want to build a life with. You have touched my heart like no one ever has or could again. I want you as my wife like I’ve never wanted anything else. I don’t care about all that led up to the wedding neither of us remembers, or anything that happened afterwards, for that matter. I just want you. Forever.”
With her mind reeling, Elizabeth couldn’t find her voice to reply. When tears welled up in her eyes, Will could only wait, not knowing whether hers were tears of joy or disappointment.
Her silence finally ended when she asked, “So, I’m legally a Darcy?”
“Yes.”
“Which means the child that I’m carrying, your child, is already a Darcy?”
Will was at first confused which then turned into understanding. “My child? Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am quite certain, unless this,” she put her hand on her stomach, “is the product of Immaculate conception. Your aunt has the three positive pregnancy tests in her possession in proof of it. I thought she may have already told you, but I’m glad she didn’t. I know it comes as a shock and this may be the last thing in the world you want…” Elizabeth yelled out in surprise when mid-sentence her husband lifted her off her feet and swung her around. He let her down and touched her face as they looked into each other’s eyes, each burning with love and happiness. No more words were needed.
Charles and Jane found them standing there, having come over to find out what the noise was all about.
“Will?” Charles called to his friend.
But William Darcy heard nothing but the beating of his heart. He bent down to kiss the beautiful woman whom he would forever cherish as his wife.
Chapter Forty-Four
Reaching out to pump Darcy’s hand enthusiastically Charles replied, “Congratulation, man, congratulations.”
Jane had tears in her eyes. “I cannot believe it! You two are actually married and I’m going to be an aunt! It is beyond wonderful!”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” Darcy said. “There is one point we need to discuss, Mrs. Darcy. Since our wedding is a blur, would you like to have another ceremony?”
Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Page 22