She stopped writing once again and read back over her letter. She sat back and looked into the fire, thinking.
She had been accused of being her father’s favorite daughter on many occasions. She supposed it was because of this respect she had for him that she decided to do as she was asked. Marriage was important, but so was love. Was there something her father saw in Darcy that she didn’t? Mr. Bennet, as a respectable gentleman, had flaws of his own, and she was aware of that. And he was a gentleman in such a way that Darcy could only hope to emulate him, as he had tried to with his father.
Darcy mentioned that he and Mr. Bennet had several meetings on the matter, and they had discussed her character. Had they also discussed his? Was he a snake that had shed its skin but would forever be a snake?
She shook her head. She doubted that Darcy was a snake. She hoped that her assessment of him wasn’t swayed by the fact that she loved him and was slowly falling in love with him as the days went by. She wondered if he was feeling the same way. In the back of her mind, she reviewed the day’s events and how he had looked while talking so seriously with her. His eyes were bright, almost dancing with energy. He was quick with a smile, and his words were spoken gently. It was a side of him she wasn’t used to, but was coming to adore quickly.
She scooted the chair back and stood up, abandoning the letter for the time being. She went back and sat on the couch, picking up her book. Although she looked down at the words, she didn’t read them. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Darcy, Jane, Wickham, and her sisters.
She smiled, thinking how happy Jane had looked the day before while she was visiting. Happiness may not have been the correct word, she thought, but it was certainly a nice change from how she had been feeling. To see her smile was a delight in itself. To hear her twittering laughter once or twice was even more delightful.
She thought about the colonel and assessed him as a husband for Jane. Would he make her happy? It would be better than Mr. Collins marrying her. The thought made Elizabeth giggle, and she covered her mouth instinctively. She chided herself silently for being disrespectful about Mr. Collins. But the thought still made her laugh, and she felt blessed to have dodged that potentially terrible situation.
Who would Mr. Collins marry? And would he really take Longbourn House when her father died? She hoped not. Certainly, something could be worked out in favor of her mother and sisters, if any were still living there at the time.
Should anything happen that forced her mother from Longbourn, Elizabeth would insist she come to reside at Pemberley House. There was sufficient room—more than enough. She doubted very much that Darcy would object. He had said himself that he knew the Bennet family now, and had the utmost respect for all of them.
Rumors were being spread that Wickham hadn’t been seen with the lively Miss King for some time. She wondered what he was doing with his time and who he was spending it with. It had been some time since her last correspondence with him.
She looked at her writing desk and contemplated starting a letter to him. She found, however, that she wasn’t in the mood to continue writing, nor to start a new letter. She vowed to write to him in the next few days to find out how he was spending his time.
Her thoughts brought her back around to Darcy, and she wondered if he was still upset with Wickham. She wondered what had happened in their past that made him dislike the young officer so much. Wickham had never been anything but cordial to her. When she first met him, she considered the thought that he might be a potential suitor. Then she married Darcy. It put a stop to any considerations of that kind.
What would it have been like to be the wife of a militia officer, she wondered. Would they have had to move from place to place for any assignments he might be given? She assumed they would have.
The door opened, interrupting her thoughts, and she looked over to see Darcy step into the room. He was smiling, and carrying a small tray with a teacup and two cookies on a plate.
“There you are. Not asleep yet, my dear?”
“No, just sitting here reading,” Elizabeth replied, holding up her book.
He looked down at the book and then back up at her as he set the tray down on the table at her side. “You’re reading that book?”
She tilted her head and looked at him. “Yes, that’s what I said.”
“That’s amazing.”
Elizabeth felt a joke coming and restrained a smile. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you’re holding it upside down. Do you like to read upside down?”
Flustered, Elizabeth’s cheeks turned pink and she pressed her lips together in a vain attempt to keep the smile from showing. She leaned forward and set the book to the side. “Yes, I suppose I was doing a lot more thinking than I was reading.”
“What were you thinking about, may I ask?”
Elizabeth let go of her smile and reached for the teacup. “A little bit of everything. Thank you for the tea and cookies, Darcy. Are you having fun with your friends?”
“It’s always a good time when they’re around.”
“I’m glad.”
She wanted to say more but he was leaving the room, smiling at her. Once he closed the door behind him, she realized she already missed him.
Chapter 27
Elizabeth woke to a surprise the next morning. The housekeeper brought her a note from Lady Catherine, requesting her presence for lunch at the parsonage. It had been months since her last visit there, and Lady Catherine had not been as receptive as she would have liked. She was immediately nervous, but dressed in her finest gown for a luncheon date and set out with a hungry stomach, as she had been too nervous to eat much of her breakfast.
Darcy left before breakfast, as he had business to attend to in Meryton. She had no time to express her nervousness at returning to the parsonage when the last visit with his aunt had made her so uncomfortable. She pulled herself up into the coach and settled back in the seat, trying to calm her beating heart.
Lady Catherine clearly disagreed with the arrangement that had been made between Mr. Bennet and Darcy. She had expressed on more than one occasion that she was disappointed in him. Reflecting on it, Elizabeth remembered that Darcy had put the older woman in her place several times, essentially telling her to stay out of his business because he would lead his life the way he wanted to, and she needed pay him no mind when she disagreed with his decisions.
It made her smile to think of it, but it didn’t steady her nerves. She didn’t care for being disliked by someone, especially when that someone was now a relative by marriage.
The ride to the parsonage took less time than she expected it to. She was still nervously twisting her gloved hands together when they arrived. She stepped down from the coach and walked up to the front door of the parsonage.
As soon as she stepped in front of the door, it was swung wide open and a young maid smiled up at her. “Miss Elizabeth! It’s good to see you! You’re looking well!”
Elizabeth smiled at the young woman, whose name was Ruby. “It’s good to see you, as well, Ruby. You’re also looking fine.”
“Thank you so much, miss!”
“It’s Mrs. Darcy now, but you may call me Elizabeth if you wish.”
Ruby’s smile widened. “Thank you, miss… Elizabeth. Please do come in. The lady is waiting in the parlor.”
Elizabeth followed the young woman down the hallway to the door of the parlor. Ruby swung the door opened and announced her arrival. Lady Catherine was seated on a deep- purple settee, looking comfortable and relaxed. She smiled as Elizabeth came into the room, which was not expected by Elizabeth. She quickly plastered a smile on her face and wondered why she had been summoned here. Was Lady Catherine going to be friendly or patronizing?
“Come in, come in, Elizabeth! It’s good that you accepted my invitation! We’ll have a fine luncheon ready for us in about an hour. Come and sit with me. We’ll talk.”
The old woman patted the cushion next to her, promptin
g Elizabeth to take a seat there.
“Lady Catherine, you’re looking lovely today,” she said, smiling. “I trust you’ve been sleeping well?”
“Sleeping and eating well,” Lady Catherine admitted, nodding. “My dear, I have one of the finest cooks in England and I’ll despair when she’s not with us anymore.”
“Is she leaving your employment?” Elizabeth asked.
“No dear,” Lady Catherine laughed. “I don’t expect she’ll ever go anywhere else to work but here. I meant when she passes on to the greater realm.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Oh, I see.”
“You must fill me in on what you’ve been doing with your time. Darcy’s not the best for correspondence. How is that nephew of mine?”
“He’s doing quite well. He stays busy working business deals, and we’re getting along very well.”
Lady Catherine gave her a thoughtful look. “I don’t see how you put up with his moods, my dear Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth giggled. The lady wasn’t behaving as she had at the beginning of Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage. Perhaps she had realized she could do nothing to stop it so she should accept it. Perhaps she had been talking with Mr. Collins about the Bennet family, and had come to realize they were good people despite their lack of funds.
“We’ve learned to deal with each other,” Elizabeth replied. “I suppose I’m not always pleasant to be around.”
Lady Catherine chuckled. “My dear, we’re women. We have good reason to be unpleasant. Men are boorish, stubborn, and hard-headed, often at the same time.”
Elizabeth continued giggling. She was incredibly relieved that she wouldn’t be hearing about her “poor relatives” anymore. Lady Catherine’s next words astonished her, and she was almost unable to reply.
“How’s your sister, Jane? I heard what happened with her and Mr. Bingley, and I must say it’s a sad state of affairs.”
Elizabeth almost choked, remembering her last visit when Lady Catherine said nothing about her family except that they were likely to take advantage of anyone who could help them prosper.
“I didn’t know you kept up with such things, my lady,” Elizabeth said. “But she’s doing a little better. Mr. Bingley was her first love, you know, and she was deeply in it. She invested her heart into it and it was crushed when it all went to ruin.”
Lady Catherine nodded. “I’m sure she’s suffering still. I remember my first love. I still think of him fondly, but what has happened in my life has been enough to bury the pain. Perhaps this will happen with Jane and she’ll find true happiness with another man.”
“I’m hoping so,” Elizabeth did not bring up the fact that Colonel Fitzwilliam had shown great interest in Jane on her last visit. He was another nephew to the lady, and Elizabeth wasn’t about to start a firestorm about that. It was the last thing Jane needed to happen.
“And you’ve heard, I assume, about the growing relationship between Mr. Wickham and your sister, Lydia?”
“Why, yes, I’ve been privy to that information.” Again, Elizabeth was surprised the lady was taking any interest in her family. An idea formed in her mind and she said, “Tell me, if you will, my lady, why does Darcy dislike Mr. Wickham as he does? I’ve always thought of Wickham as a kind gentleman, funny and charming. A delight to be around, as confirmed by many of his friends and my own family as well.”
“You haven’t heard the story from Darcy himself?” The lady looked at Elizabeth with questioning eyes.
“I haven’t.”
“Have you asked him directly?”
“I really haven’t been able to get an established answer from him. I don’t suppose you know his reasons, do you?”
“Why, yes, I do. I’ll tell you why he feels the way he does. And you’ll understand it, as well, though you may not agree completely with all that happened. Darcy doesn’t trust Mr. Wickham, and with good reason.”
“Please tell me.”
Lady Catherine nodded. “You know that Mr. Wickham was Darcy’s father’s steward.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“After the passing of the elder Mr. Darcy, your Darcy was instructed to give him a thousand pounds from the estate. The thought was that Mr. Wickham would be ordained into the ministry. He decided against that and asked Darcy for funds to keep him going as he studied law. He requested and received three thousand pounds, and didn’t speak to Darcy for nearly three years until he needed more funding, for his lifestyle had become quite difficult.”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth breathed.
“Darcy refused to fund him further. At the time Georgiana was at Ramsgate, and Mr. Wickham made his attendance there, as well, in order to seduce Georgiana into marriage. He would have then had access to her accounts, which is what Darcy is certain he was there for initially. He had no love for our sweet Georgiana, and Darcy refused to let them follow through with the elopement that was planned.”
“Georgiana must have been quite young,” Elizabeth remarked. “She’s young now and if this happened years ago…” she shook her head.
“Yes, she was but fifteen at the time.”
“Oh, dear, Mr. Wickham behaved badly, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Darcy mentioned the other day in passing that we must forgive those for the errors of their past, but that the deeds must not be forgotten, lest you find yourself in a situation where you’re being taken advantage of again. I see now what he meant.”
“Shall we discuss it with him when he arrives?”
“Is he coming here?”
Lady Catherine smiled. “Why, yes, I sent him an invitation, as well. Didn’t he tell you?”
Elizabeth smiled. “I suppose that’s why he left before breakfast. He intended to take care of any business he had before coming here.”
At that moment, the door opened and Ruby announced the arrival of Mr. Darcy. She exchanged smiles with Elizabeth just before closing the door.
Chapter 28
“Hello, ladies,” Darcy smiled cordially and kissed both of their hands, following up with a kiss on the cheek for Elizabeth before he lowered himself into a chair opposite them. He removed the hat from his head and set it on a nearby table. His eyes rested on Elizabeth for a moment. “You look lovely today, my dear.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Thank you, Darcy. You look fit, as well.”
“You can compliment her anytime, nephew. How about your old aunt? You have no words of praise for me?” Lady Catherine smiled wide. Darcy laughed.
“Of course, Aunt Catherine. I didn’t mention it first because you’re always looking beautiful.”
Elizabeth and Catherine looked at each other and laughed. Darcy realized that he had inadvertently insulted Elizabeth, and turned a light color of red. “Oh dear.” The women laughed again.
“Shall we talk of other things?” he said, causing the women once again to chuckle heartily.
“I suppose we should,” Elizabeth nodded, looking at Lady Catherine. “He’s flustered, isn’t he?”
“Some men can’t handle being in the presence of two strong, beautiful women,” the lady responded.
“I’m perfectly fine,” Darcy countered. “Please don’t worry yourselves over me.”
“All right,” Lady Catherine nodded. “We won’t. We were just speaking about Wickham. I told her what has made you upset with the man.”
Darcy raised his eyebrows and looked at Elizabeth. “Do you now understand why I’ve been so forceful in my dislike of him? I don’t mean to insult anyone but I will not be taken advantage of. His plot to marry Georgiana surely would have been the greatest revenge on me for refusing to fund his idle habits.”
“Yes, I understand, Darcy. I wonder, though, why you didn’t tell me the story to begin with. You know that we’re friends and now he’s seeking time with Lydia.”
“I don’t know how to feel about him and Lydia,” Darcy said. “I’ve always known the man to be a scoundrel and here, with this knowledge, I do hope that you�
�ll understand why I’ve been deemed as a cruel, ruthless man by him.”
“He didn’t inform me of the matters that caused you to treat him in such a way,” Elizabeth said. “I didn’t know and therefore couldn’t make a suspicion toward him.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”
“But why, then, didn’t you give me this information sooner?”
“I didn’t want to bring it up directly. I… I also assumed he would say something to you about it. I should have known he wouldn’t be the type of man to own up to his flaws.”
“It’s important that one be aware of one’s flaws,” Elizabeth said quietly. “They won’t make themselves better by ignoring them. This is a problem I’ve noticed with many people.” She didn’t express more of her thoughts. The first person who came to mind was Mr. Collins.
“As have I,” Darcy said confidently. He looked at his aunt. “Lizzie and I were speaking of this topic just a few days ago.”
Lady Catherine nodded. “She told me that you had mentioned not judging someone because of their past mistakes, but to continue to be aware of them.”
“Tell me, dear aunt, do you believe people can change?” Darcy asked.
Lady Catherine looked thoughtful. “I’m unsure. They can change, surely, if they make a valiant attempt and know fully how they are behaving badly. The only way to cease bad behavior is to cut off the influence at the core. It requires a new lifestyle and a new way of thinking. That isn’t always possible for some.”
“It seems it’s impossible for some,” Elizabeth mumbled, receiving a knowing grin from both Darcy and the lady.
“Wickham has never made good decisions, in my opinion. I’m glad he didn’t enter the ministry. I don’t believe he would be a very good minister.”
“I must agree with you,” Elizabeth said. “I hadn’t been told he was thinking of it, or that he was interested in the law for a time.”
Darcy snorted. “The man was never going to stay in law. He had little interest in putting a big effort into anything he did. He wanted funds handed to him out of a sense of obligation because my father was so taken with him. With my father no longer here to make decisions soundly, it has fallen to me and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
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