A Covenant of Marriage

by C. P. Odom

  It was evident that Jane struggled to find the words to begin, but Richard had enlisted her aid in this endeavour to heal the breach between two women who should be true sisters and not antagonists.

  “Mrs. Bingley, I find it difficult to talk of many aspects of Lizzy’s past with your brother, both because of what I learned in confidence and because some of it will not be pleasant for you to hear. Lizzy now says your brother is the best and most honourable man she has known, but such was not her opinion when she first met him. Nor was it her opinion for many years until after he came and offered my father a contract of marriage.”

  Georgiana said nothing. William had confirmed earlier that he had gone to Mr. Bennet with a proposal for an arranged marriage, but she still did not understand why such an inexplicable thing had been necessary.

  “Your brother, William—as he has commanded me to call him though I still struggle with the familiarity—and my sister did not meet in a propitious manner. Not at all. In fact, on the evening they were first introduced, Mr. Bingley tried to convince William to dance with Lizzy since she had no partner and your husband did not wish to see his friend standing aside. He said there were many pretty young ladies in attendance, and he specifically pointed out my sister. But William refused to consider it. He spoke with your husband, a conversation my sister had the misfortune to overhear. William said she was…tolerable…but not handsome enough to tempt him.”

  “Darcy said that?” responded Dorothea Fitzwilliam in amusement. “I can well believe it! And yet she married him? Incredible!”

  “In addition,” Jane continued, “Mr. Darcy—William—kept everyone he met at arm’s length, refusing to engage them in conversation and watching the assembly’s events with what appeared to be disdain but may well have been reserve…and, Lizzy now says, even shyness.”

  “It was truly disdain!” responded Richard. “Darcy said as much to me. You should talk to your brother, Georgiana. He freely admits his behaviour was objectionable, and he wishes he could undo the bad impression he made. But all of that is water under the bridge, and as he says, it could have turned out ever so much worse.”

  After a moment to gather her courage, Jane continued. “So, you see, Mrs. Bingley, Lizzy had no reason to believe William had formed any attachment to her. In fact, she thought he looked on her with dislike…and she freely returned the emotion.”

  Georgiana was outraged at the suggestion that anyone, especially such an undeserving young lady as Elizabeth Bennet, would dare view her brother so negatively.

  Jane continued her story. “Matters remained unchanged until Lizzy went to visit her friend Charlotte Collins. At Rosings Park, she received the shock of her life when your brother offered marriage. She refused him rather dramatically, in part because she did not like him at the time but also because Mr. Wickham had poisoned her mind against him.”

  When Georgiana sniffed in derision, Richard interrupted. “Do not disparage Mrs. Darcy for being deceived by Wickham, Georgiana. He deceived you before he deceived her.”

  At Georgiana’s look of appalled dismay, Richard said gently, “I know this topic has never been mentioned outside of the three of us, but they know.” He waved at the others before taking her hands in his. “Since Wickham deceived Mrs. Darcy’s sister Lydia so disastrously, Darcy has gradually become more open about Wickham’s character. He has come to believe his obsession with privacy was partially responsible for Wickham being received into the homes of polite society rather than being dismissed for the rogue he was. Darcy now believes Wickham would not have been able to deceive his wife’s sister if the family had been informed that he had committed so many offences against us. To this day, he still regrets not informing them.”

  When Richard nodded, Jane went on. “And part of the reason for Lizzy’s rejection was—and I am very sorry to tell you of this, but Richard insisted—part of the reason was because of me.”

  “You?” Georgiana exclaimed. “I do not understand.”

  “Because—and this was a long time ago, more than five years—there was a time when I thought…when everyone in the neighbourhood thought…Mr. Bingley had formed an attachment for me.”

  Georgiana was stunned at this announcement, and Jane had turned bright red, looking up at Richard in near-desperation. He came to sit beside her and took her hand, patting it encouragingly.

  Georgiana’s thoughts whirled, and she dimly remembered a day long ago when her brother received a devastating letter from Anne about Wickham’s elopement with Elizabeth Bennet’s sister. William had said something about Bingley at that time, but try as she might, she could not remember much of the conversation except the fury she felt against Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  After a few moments, Jane went on. “As I said, it was a long time ago, Mrs. Bingley, and after Lizzy rejected him, your brother wrote her a note and, well…perhaps you ought to see it yourself.”

  Jane handed Georgiana a worn letter that gave evidence of having been folded and unfolded so many times it was nearly coming apart.

  “Lizzy threw it away years ago, but I was curious and retrieved it…and read it…and was surprised at what it said about the things your brother did in aid of your…your husband.”

  Georgiana read the missive, looked up at Jane intently, looked around the room, and returned to re-read it even more carefully. When she was through, she returned the letter to Jane.

  “So do you take my meaning now, Cousin?” Richard asked softly. “The history between your brother and his wife is convoluted, and parts of it are not particularly complimentary to any of the parties involved. But I think you must acquit Mrs. Darcy of having subjected your brother to an undue portion of misery. I assure you, he considers himself the author of his misfortunes, and he has addressed those aspects of his character with which he was quite dissatisfied. Moreover, Darcy and Elizabeth are now supremely happy except for one thing: your cold and unjustified rejection of your brother’s wife.”

  After a few moments of silence, Edward cleared his throat and said softly, “Georgiana, both Dorothea and I join with Richard in this. Mrs. Darcy is far too straightforward and direct to have subjected Darcy to misery. We all like her greatly, even above what she has done for Darcy’s harmony. I think you and she could at least be tolerable friends if you would just give her a chance.”

  Georgiana looked at Jane and pointed at the note. “So Charles might well be married to you now if William had not interfered?” she asked slowly, but Jane shook her head.

  “I think it unlikely, Mrs. Bingley. After all, had he truly been attached to me, he would not have taken the advice of your brother and, instead, would have returned to Netherfield. No, I am afraid my attachment was greater than his was, but that is no fault of your brother. Mr. Bingley was new in our neighbourhood, he was handsome and amiable and, yes, rich. You must know by now that it is much better for both parties to have the same degree of attachment than otherwise.”

  Jane looked at Richard, and Georgiana nodded slowly as she saw the affection between her cousin and this young lady.

  “Perhaps you are correct,” Georgiana said finally after some moments of deep thought. “I shall have to think on what you—all of you—have said. No one likes being wrong, but this conversation has made it difficult for me to continue to believe, as you said, that I am right and everyone else mistaken. So, I promise you I shall consider all I have heard.”

  Georgiana was silent for several more moments; then her face showed certainty. “But if William was unhappy with the part he played in separating you from Mr. Bingley as he states in his letter, then I question the part played by my husband’s sisters in assisting William. I shall speak with Caroline about this, and I shall be very displeased if I do not get answers.”

  Chapter 23

  Temptation is an irresistible force at work on a movable body.

  — H. L. Mencken (
1880–1956), American humorous journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic, and scholar of American English

  Wednesday, December 25, 1816

  Pemberley, Derbyshire

  On the evening of Christmas, after gifts had been exchanged in the morning and an excellent dinner had been served, the master of the house knocked on the door to his wife’s room while she was preparing for bed. Elizabeth had donned a most enticing new nightgown she had received from town. She quickly pulled on a robe and dismissed Jennie before opening the door.

  Darcy wore loose trousers and was bare-chested under his unbelted dressing gown as he entered his wife’s bedroom with two long-stemmed crystal glasses and a bottle of champagne in hand.

  “My mother warned me to beware of English gentlemen bearing gifts,” Elizabeth said, taking a glass from Darcy and closing the door behind him. “But, in this case—”

  Darcy opened the bottle, and Elizabeth sat on one of the couches in her room, patting the cushions beside her. Darcy quickly sat and filled both their glasses. Then, raising his glass to Elizabeth, he said, “Happy Christmas, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “And a Happy Christmas to you, Mr. Darcy,” she said, taking a sip from her glass.

  “I dispatched an express to your father today, informing him of my success with Richard and Jane, and—”

  “Your success?” Elizabeth said with mock incredulity.

  “Of course, my success. How could it be otherwise? Unquestionably, your sister is pleased.”

  “Jane is happier than I have ever seen her, only—”

  “What is it, love?”

  “My father is unable to provide a dowry, and Richard is a younger son, so—”

  “Richard has paid little attention to fortune although Jane has ten thousand pounds to bring to the marriage. I am not sure a dowry was on his mind when I discovered the two of them all but embracing. He reminds me somewhat—well, yes! He reminds me of me!”

  “I do believe you are correct, my darling.”

  “Richard has some other money. Most of his pay during his years away from England went into the Funds and added to what he had previously invested there. And I believe there is a modest bequest from his grandmother due at the time of his marriage, which will likely be enough to purchase a house in town. He will be on half-pay soon, of course, but with Jane’s dowry added to that and the interest he can draw from the Funds, the two of them will do well enough, I think. Jane strikes me as a very sensible woman.”

  “Far more sensible than I. You would have done better to have fixed on her years ago and saved yourself much grief.”

  Darcy waved dismissively, saying, “It could have been—”

  “—much worse!” Elizabeth chimed in, and both laughed and clinked glasses again.

  “And if money were to become an issue, the two of them could come live with us,” Darcy said blandly.

  Elizabeth cocked an eyebrow at him in consideration. He was getting better at teasing her, and she had a harder time these days discerning whether he was being serious or not.

  “Jane has never been overly concerned with the size of a husband’s fortune. As long as he could provide a secure home and support a family, I do not think the size or magnificence of the home would be of much consequence.”

  “Richard has no real vices. He is neither a gambler nor inclined to drink in excess,” Darcy said. “And, he is quite prudent about his finances.

  “From what I know of him, I should have expected nothing else.” But then Elizabeth became more sombre and looked down into her glass. “Your sister came to speak with me today,” she said quietly.

  “I thought she might. Richard told me of his conversation with her. So, did the two of you agree to a truce?”

  “Yes, a truce definitely,” agreed Elizabeth, rather sadly, “but I am afraid it may take years to hope for anything more between us. Georgiana really does not like me though she does say she now is certain the problem is hers and not mine. But still—”

  “I know, I know,” he agreed quietly, “but remember that Aunt Catherine was my mother’s sister, and Georgiana is showing more of her traits than I would have preferred.”

  “Bingley does not seem to mind.”

  “He does not, but then he needed someone to take care of him. At least my sister maintains his correspondence and insists that he write. She encloses his letters inside her own.”

  “She did say she would write to me when she has had more time to consider everything. And,” Elizabeth smiled smugly, “she says she and Caroline have evidently had a spirited conversation. She apparently learned some facts about Caroline’s past with Jane that displeased her.”

  “Richard mentioned as much,” Darcy said gravely. “In fact, had I known about it, I would not have approved of the meeting he and the others had with Georgiana, nor would I have been certain of its success, especially once he told me that he had allowed Georgiana to read the letter I wrote you at Rosings.”

  “Your letter? That cannot be! I destroyed it years ago. How could he show her your letter?”

  “Apparently, you threw it away rather than burning it. Jane retrieved it, saving it until now.”

  “Then she must have read about you separating her and Bingley years ago! And she never said anything about it during all these years?”

  “She is an extraordinary woman with the disposition of a saint not to blame me for her sadness.”

  “William—”

  Darcy held his hands up in surrender.

  “In any case,” he said, retrieving his glass and filling both of them again, “my aunt and uncle are very pleased with this engagement, as are Edward and Dorothea. All of them have decided to stay on until the wedding, which they anticipated would be in about two weeks, but I informed them only a short delay was required. We await only a response from your father.”

  Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at this because she knew her husband well enough to be suspicious.

  “They will have to wait at least seven days once Richard arranges for a common license.”

  “Ah, but your husband is a very clever fellow,” Darcy said with a broad smile. “I expected success in arranging this marriage, so I had my solicitor draw up marriage agreements, which I dispatched with my express for your father’s signature. And I had paid another visit to Doctor’s Commons before we left London—”

  “It cannot be!” Elizabeth exclaimed, her eyes huge.

  “Yet it is. A special license lies in the drawer of my desk, awaiting only a visit from our parson tomorrow. Then they can be married as soon as your father responds.”

  “You are more clever than you know, William,” she said. “You may have acted just in time. Although Jane has an excellent disposition, the past years have changed her, and I have reason to believe she wants to take Richard to her bed as soon as may be.”

  This time it was Darcy who raised his eyebrows in silent enquiry.

  “Jane came to me yesterday, and after more than a few stammers, she managed to ask for one of the nightgowns my aunt gave me when we first married. I suspect she gave Richard an early Christmas present in her room last night.”

  This last comment caught Darcy unprepared as he was taking a sip of champagne. It went down the wrong way, and Elizabeth pounded him on the back as he recovered.

  “I am sorry, dear,” she said though the mischief in her eyes belied her words.

  Just when he seemed at the point of saying something, she continued slyly. “In fact, I have a most unsisterly suspicion that, if we were to pay either my sister or your cousin a late-night visit, we should find one empty room and one room with too many occupants—which would explain why Jane solicited a second nightgown this afternoon!”

  Darcy looked startled at this at first; then Elizabeth saw a look of mischief.

 
“No, Mr. Darcy,” she said firmly. “I believe some questions are best not answered.”

  “Perhaps you are right,” Darcy said, and it took several moments before he continued. “I also talked to your uncle and Captain Reynolds, and both of them will be staying for the wedding, especially since the ceremony will take place soon.”

  “And Jane asked Mrs. Reynolds to stand up with her since the snows will prevent my sisters from joining us. Sarah is very excited though she says she sometimes thinks someone will consider her impertinent and denounce her as an imposter.”

  “Not in this household, my dear. They would not dare! But I must say I am somewhat surprised Jane did not ask you to stand up with her.”

  “Jane and I shall always be so very close, and I do not feel slighted. She and Sarah have spent much time together while I was busy hosting Christmas, and I believe she wanted her friend to feel valued.”

  “Quite likely,” agreed Darcy. “It would be in keeping with Jane’s warm-hearted character. And speaking of impertinence, that quality is not in short supply at Pemberley these days, thanks to me.”

  “Thanks to you?”

  “Of course,” Darcy said expansively with his arms held out wide. “I am, after all, a gentleman well known for his open-mindedness and liberality.”

  There was only one response to such effrontery, Elizabeth Darcy knew, and standing she dropped her robe to reveal her new nightgown.

  ***

  Saturday, December 28, 1816

  Pemberley, Derbyshire

  On a snowy day near the end of the year, Miss Jane Bennet wed Colonel Sir Richard Fitzwilliam, to the approval and joy of so many beloved members of both their families. Jane’s happiness was somewhat dimmed by the absence of her parents and sisters.

  She had read her father’s express, giving his approval and stating his delight as well as that of his wife and daughters. The wedding breakfast was celebrated by all the family though the bride and groom stayed little beyond a quarter-hour before departing. Elizabeth was completely unsurprised to see Jane whisper into Richard’s ear, and he lost little time in escorting her from the dining room, their departure marked by applause and cheers from family and friends.