by Pamela Lynne
“Papa.” She put her hands over her mouth as her tears streamed down her cheeks. The anger and pain she felt on the other side of the door now seemed as small as the rest of Longbourn in the face of her grief. In spite of everything he had done, he was still her father, and she loved him. There is no armor that can protect a child from the piercing pain of seeing a parent made weak, even one who had shown his character to be lacking. All parents hold a power over their children that makes them seem untouchable, so when nature fells them as easily as a sapling breaking in a strong wind, the loss is felt at one’s very core.
She walked to the bed and leaned over him, taking in his fragile appearance. His skin was stretched thin over the lines of his face, and he looked old, much older than he should. He was not making a sound. She questioned the nurse about this, given that Mary had informed her of his usual unrest. She answered that his pain had started growing worse, so he was given more laudanum that morning. A feeling of loss swept through her as she reached out and smoothed his brow with her fingertips.
“Oh, Papa, I am so sorry.”
********
“Enough!” Darcy’s strong voice rang out, effectively quieting Mrs. Bennet’s prattle and Lydia’s whines. Darcy had suffered many praises of his wealth and stature and questions about the weddings before Mrs. Bennet began teasing Lydia about all the fun she would have in London with her sister’s new family. He whispered to Elizabeth to go to her father before he corrected Mrs. Bennet, which caused a tirade against Mary, who could not possibly benefit from the new connections.
“Mary is leaving with us today, madam, because she was the one we invited, not Lydia.”
“But what will Mary do at a ball? She never dances, just sits in a corner with a book. I would dance with every gentleman in attendance.”
“Of course you will, dear, and you will make so many new friends. Lydia is always a favorite, especially among officers. Will there be any officers at the ball, Mr. Darcy.” The woman acted as if she had not heard Darcy’s words at all.
“Yes. My cousin is an officer, and I believe he has secured your second set already, has he not, Mary?”
“Yes, he asked for it when we were speaking of the ball during the wedding breakfast.”
“Yes, I remember, but why the second?”
“Because Viscount Hedley had asked for the first.”
“And I the third. So you see, Mrs. Bennet, you need not worry about Mary sitting in a corner with a book. I know my sister and cousins are already anxious to have her in their company once more, as is my aunt Lady Catherine, who singled her out as being a good friend to her daughter.”
“But I want to go to London.” Darcy looked at the young girl and actually felt sorry for her. She would never be happy until she exposed herself in some fashion, and Darcy feared what might happen when that exposure occurred. He then glanced at Kitty, who had been sitting quietly, watching the drama unfold with a helpless look that mirrored the one Mary wore when she first arrived at Gracechurch Street. He drew a calming breath as a plan formed in his mind.
“Lydia, Catherine, I am going to speak to you as I would to my sister because that is what you are to me now. Neither of you is ready for London society, nor will I expose you to the scorn of the ton simply because your mother wants you to attend a fancy party.” Mrs. Bennet started at this, but if she could ignore his words, he could ignore her existence.
“If you can be patient and prove to me that you are willing to learn what it takes to maneuver in higher society, we will bring you to London next season, even though we had planned on staying at Pemberley. I would suggest to both of you that, for now, you write to Aunt Gardiner and ask her to invite you to Gracechurch Street for a time after everything has settled here. She will be able to give you proper instruction, and you are both old enough to realize you will not get that here.”
He paused and let his words sink in. Mrs. Bennet used the silence to rant about how she has taught all her girls how to be gentlewomen and how they all knew how to run a household. He let her go on, and when she finally paused for breath, he once again addressed the girls, ignoring their mother completely.
“You both have a choice: you may remain as you are and continue on here in Meryton after your father dies, or you may grow into ladies of quality and join your sister in London. We can discuss it more when we return.” He turned to Mary, asking her to be ready within a half hour and then left to find his wife.
********
Elizabeth sat with her father for a long while, lamenting his poor choices and his wasted life. His intelligence and his quirky charm could have taken him so much further than he had allowed them. Longbourn could have been great, and his family could have thrived if only he had chosen that path instead of the one easier to traverse. It was so very sad that at the end of his life he truly had nothing. His family’s estate would belong to someone else, his daughters would mourn what could have been more than what was, and his wife would simply be relieved.
Elizabeth took a last look before rising to leave. When she opened the door, she saw Darcy there speaking to Remy while waiting for her. She realized then why everything around her had looked so small. Compared to him and what he had given her, everything was small. Her family, her pain, her regrets, and her guilt were nothing compared to loving him. She closed the door behind her and walked to her husband.
“Are you ready to leave, Mrs. Darcy?” She wrapped her arm around his and squeezed him tight, smiling softly to let him know she was well.
“Yes, Fitzwilliam. Let us go home.”
********
Richard entered his father’s house and made his way to the sitting room he shared with his brother, taking off his red coat as he entered.
“Well, Brother, it is done. I am no longer in His Majesty’s Service, just a regular man about town such as you.”
Sebastian looked up from his correspondence to see his brother’s grin and smiled in return.
“Congratulations. You now have no occupation, no money, and too much time to waste away doing nothing. You are finally a real gentleman.” They both laughed at this as Sebastian’s valet came in with a cravat and coat for Richard. When he left, Sebastian continued his teasing.
“You will have to get one of those now. Strange how one loses the ability to dress himself when he moves up in the world. Will Anne like you in blue instead of red?”
“You may ask her when we go to Darcy House this afternoon. Before you say anything, yes, you are coming with me, if for no other reason than to protect Georgie from Catherine’s tirade when Anne and I tell her our plans.”
“You have the license then?”
“Yes, I went to Darcy’s solicitor this morning. It is amazing what he can do with one letter.”
“It is amazing he was willing to help you at all. I am sure he was not pleased when you told him what you and Anne had done.”
“If he had not been in such a haze himself, I am sure I would have gotten a sound throttling and a trip to the blacksmith with the Bingleys.”
“Why did you not marry in Scotland? It would have been easier.”
“I wanted to, but Anne said we are not cowards, so we will do battle with her mother and marry whether she likes it or not. We have to tell her today, though. She is tired of pretending to be sick in order to stay in London. She has been waiting for Mary so she can stand up with her.”
“They are due in this evening?” Richard nodded and noticed his brother’s softened expression. “Good.”
Richard moved to speak to him about some concerns that had been growing since they first left for Scotland, but they were interrupted by a servant bringing an order from their mother to join her for tea. They obediently made their way to the drawing room, where they greeted their mother and settled in with their refreshments.
“What are the two of you doing?”
Sebastian looked at his brother then answered for both of them. “We are having tea, Mother. Is that not what you called
us here to do?”
“Yes, but we never drink the tea,” Lady Susan responding while holding her sherry. “You both have been acting strangely since you returned from Scotland. You are always with that parson, and you, Richard, well what are you about? I have never seen you sit still before, at least not while drinking tea.”
She punctuated her statement with a large yawn followed by a long sip of sherry. “Forgive me, boys, but I am exhausted.”
“Are you well, Mother?” Richard looked upon her with concern.
“Yes, I am fine.” She waved away his concern and adjusted her seat. “Your father can no longer afford his mistresses, so he is visiting me again is all.”
Richard spit his tea back in his cup while Sebastian returned the plate he had just filled to the table.
“Well, Mother, you have cured our desire for tea.”
Lady Susan ignored him as she leaned up to place a pillow behind her back. “Sebastian, when are you getting married? I am not sure how much more of this I can take. I am too old to tolerate the Fitzwilliam prowess.”
Sebastian rubbed his head, trying to keep unwanted images from forming. “I told you: I will offer for someone after your ball. In the meantime, perhaps you can talk to Aunt Catherine. I am sure she can provide plenty of advice on managing prowess.”
“I would rather endure your father than speak to that old hag.”
Sebastian and Richard looked at each other, wondering if it was the right time to mention Richard’s plans. She noticed their looks and asked what was wrong.
“Nothing is wrong, Mother. Have you noticed my new coat?”
“Yes, dear, is it very fetching,” she said dismissively.
“Well, I am wearing it because I am no longer in the army. I am getting married . . . to Anne.”
She sat for a moment, seemingly out of her wits, trying to comprehend all her son was telling her. “To Anne? De Bourgh? Catherine’s daughter?”
Richard nodded.
“What does Catherine say to all this?”
“She is not pleased. She refused her blessing while we were in Scotland, but I have acquired a special license, and we are informing her today that we will marry as soon as possible.”
Her discomfort was forgotten as she sat up straight and smiled. “Well, why are we sitting here drinking tea? We must get to Darcy House right away. Catherine must be told as soon as possible; we have a wedding to plan.”
Richard stood and stopped her from rising. “No, Mother. This will be hard enough without you there baiting Catherine. Sebastian and I are going, and you are staying here to rest.”
She scowled and sent her sons away. They had stopped drinking, started staying home more, and now would not allow her the fun of watching Catherine come undone. It was as if she did not know them at all. What is happening to this family? She rose carefully from her seat and left the room slowly, wishing she could still claim her courses as an excuse to turn her husband away.
********
The Darcys, along with Mary, arrived at Darcy House just before dinner and were greeted by their very nervous housekeeper.
“Mrs. Smith, why is the staff not assembled to greet their new mistress?” Darcy was annoyed. His household should be run much better than this.
“Forgive me, sir, but I sent the servants away to tend their duties. I thought it would be better—”
She was cut off by the sound of something breaking in the nearest drawing room. Mrs. Smith looked to the master, hoping he would understand.
He dismissed her, and the three of them walked to the drawing room where they found Sebastian and Anne trying to pry Lady Catherine’s fists out of Richard’s hair.
Darcy looked down to a shocked Elizabeth. “It appears they told her.”
Georgiana, who had been looking on in horror, ran to her brother’s side. Elizabeth glanced at their mortified expressions then to the mass of limbs that had tumbled onto the floor. She stepped up and spoke loudly enough for them to hear above their own shouts.
“Lady Catherine, remove your hands from him at once. Hurting Richard will do nothing to save Anne’s reputation, which will surely be ruined if you continue to air your business so loudly around servants.” They all stopped and rose from the floor, responding to the new authority that had come to Elizabeth’s voice. She briefly turned to her sister.
“Georgie, please take Mary to her room. The two of you should have dinner in your sitting room since the rest of us obviously have things to discuss.” Georgie agreed and ushered Mary out of the room.
Mary paused at the doorway to once again take in the scene. Sebastian caught her eye and smiled briefly in apology. She smiled back before giving in to her friend’s insistent tug.
Elizabeth looked back to the Fitzwilliams and spoke in a low, warning tone. “If this is the way you insist on behaving, then you may remove yourself to Matlock House right now. I am sure Lady Susan will welcome your antics, but when you are at Darcy House, you will conduct yourself in a way that will not bring shame upon my husband. Disappointment does not negate civility. Lady Catherine, Anne, will you please return to your chambers until dinner? Richard and Sebastian, you may stay, but you must entertain yourselves for we are tired. We can meet back here in an hour when we can, hopefully, discuss matters calmly. It appears, Aunt Catherine, that your only daughter is getting married. We should make plans that do not include balding the groom.”
She gestured for the ladies to leave then took her husband’s arm to follow them out. They went upstairs to his chamber and collapsed into the bed, taking no time to look around or remove clothing. This was not the homecoming they expected, but they were home and both were relieved.
Chapter Twenty Eight
* * *
“You feel so good, Lizzy,” Darcy breathed into his wife’s ear as he loved her in long slow strokes. He had missed her greatly since their return from Scotland. Their days were spent in the company of family. Elizabeth made shopping trips with their aunts, and he pursued the Matlock accounts with his cousins. They were strengthening their ties to their family and smoothing their path in society, but what they needed was more time like this, when they could love each other slowly, taking the time to please and reassure.
It had come as a bit of a surprise to Darcy that Elizabeth had needed reassurance. She was so strong and forceful that first night they were home. She handled Lady Catherine masterfully, instinctively knowing when to push and when to relent. She was a natural at being mistress. But long days spent in the company of the Fitzwilliams and the simultaneously fawning and demeaning matrons and misses of society was enough to try the strongest soul.
Lady Catherine and Lady Susan refused to go into Cheapside, and Elizabeth refused to use anyone else besides Evelyn, so they agreed to meet at Darcy House for dress fittings. There was no denying the quality of her work. Sharing an exclusive dressmaker with Mrs. Darcy was something of which to boast. By the second visit, Lady Catherine had ordered most of Anne’s trousseau from her, leaving some pieces to be obtained from Bond Street so they could be seen.
They convinced Elizabeth to do the same, and she could see the sense behind the shopping trips. Rumors were sure to spread about their rushed marriage, and being seen in company with the Fitzwilliams would help curtail the talk. Elizabeth was relieved to see that the ladies were experts at keeping up appearances.
There was no hair pulling or insult throwing, and though Lady Susan had some interesting words for her sister when she asked what was wrong with her gait, the outings were almost pleasant, at least when they were in the shops. In the carriage and during the time spent at Darcy House, they were cruel to each other and not above using Elizabeth and Anne as pawns in their game.
The other ladies of society were equally as taxing. Elizabeth was on display, and every nuance of her person was under close scrutiny. They hated her for taking away the prize that had been so unattainable. Although she told herself the opinion of those so wholly unconnected to her meant nothing
, their sharp looks and pointed words chipped away at her confidence.
Her companions never knew this, though. She practiced her Darcy glare, and with each new acquaintance, it became more impenetrable. But Darcy knew. He looked at her as carefully as he always had and could spot the signs of fatigue and frustration. He considered it his duty as her husband to relieve those frustrations as often as possible.
“Fitzwilliam,” she whispered against his cheek, “more.” She moaned when he shifted his position in order to go deeper. She needed him—his power, his gentleness. She needed to be reminded that this is what made it all worth it. Part of being Mrs. Darcy meant that she had to manage the Fitzwilliams and solidify her place in the higher circles. Giving herself over to him, being in his complete possession, gave her what she required to feel secure. His arms, his skin, his love were all she ever needed.
Darcy groaned as his pace quickened. “Is this what you wanted, my girl, to feel me deep inside you?”
Her insides quivered in response. “Yes, Lizzy, find your release with me, my love. Take all I have to give you. Let me fill you, give you every part of me. Lizzy.”
They stayed in bed through much of that morning. They left their guests to entertain themselves as they found the strength to again face their family and the ton and the long days that stretched before them before they could travel home to Pemberley.
********
“So you do not believe the sins of the father carry through the generations, Mr. Elliot?”
Elliot looked kindly upon the young woman sitting across from him. He had been a minister for more than eight years, and in that time, he believed he had become an excellent judge of character. He had to notice the little things about a person: their facial expressions, their hand movements when they spoke, what they did not say as opposed to what they did. Because of all that, he knew what Sebastian was about likely before he did. Several questions the viscount asked him lead Elliot to believe that Sebastian was singling him out as a potential marriage partner for one of his acquaintances. Given his reputation, Elliot naturally assumed he would be asked to make an honest woman out of one of the viscount’s conquests and claim the bastard child of their union as his own. He was not in a position to be able to refuse his benefactor, but he would have if his suspicions had been correct.