How peculiar! You realise that a small amount of paint can ruin a gown, but cannot see that infantile behaviour, left unchecked, will ruin your character.
Had Florence not been beside her, Georgiana might have shouted for her conscience to be silent. As it was, all she could do was grit her teeth and walk faster.
DARCY HOUSE
William’s study
The light rain that had begun that morning turned into a deluge during the day. It made the study dark, rendering it necessary for Mrs. Barnes to light even more candles in order for William to see properly. After she had left the room, lightning began such an impressive display outside the window that he rose wearily and hobbled over to watch. Trees were bending with the wind and a steady stream of water was busily washing leaves and trash down the sides of the street. Strangely, William was pleased, for the weather now more closely mirrored the turmoil inside his heart. Sunshine and blue skies were a mockery when one’s life was in tatters.
A sigh escaped his chest. He had no choice but to go home immediately, as there were problems with some tenants that only he could resolve. Furthermore, his injury was no longer a valid excuse. It had improved to the point that the journey could be undertaken with little worry about riding in a coach for hours at a time. At least that was his estimation, though he doubted that Mr. Graham would agree. However, he would not fault the man for worrying excessively about his patients.
In any event, he did not relish the idea of seeing Elizabeth again so soon, though he knew that his duty to Pemberley must take precedence over his personal problems. Mr. Sturgis, his steward, required his help. That gentleman had been meeting with two tenants regarding repairs to a bridge that stood between their properties. Now it seemed they were both agreeable to having a new bridge built instead of trying to repair the old, but they disagreed on where the bridge should be situated. Each tenant favoured a different plot of land, while Sturgis favoured yet another. Only a look at the boundaries of the properties could render a proper judgment, and he was duty-bound to return to Pemberley to make the final decision.
With this occupying his thoughts, William returned to his desk resignedly, determined to get to the bottom of a stack of correspondence before he left for Derbyshire.
A KNOCK ON THE FRONT door brought Noonan, a footman, scurrying to answer it, for Mr. Darcy had allowed the knocker to be replaced on the door that very morning. On the portico, he found a woman wholly unrecognisable by virtue of a parasol that obscured her face. Two formidable-looking postillions stood on either side of her. Accepting the calling card offered, Noonan requested that she wait in the foyer while he located Mr. Barnes. Then he hurried to search for the butler, for he was the only one who could disturb the master when his door was closed.
Not one to follow orders, as soon as the footman was out of sight Lady Catherine motioned for the men to follow and immediately crossed the foyer. She had been in Darcy House often enough to know where her nephew’s study was located and that he was likely there at this time of day. Mr. Barnes was coming down the hall outside William’s study when Noonan spied him and handed him the card. Quickly scanning it, Barnes turned immediately to knock on the door.
“Come,” William called.
Opening the door, Barnes stepped just inside. “Sir, the Countess of Matlock is here to see you.”
William was about to request that he show her in, when a scuffle broke out behind Barnes. The butler turned to find Noonan struggling to keep two men from barging into the master’s study, followed closely by Lady Catherine. Noonan’s shouts for assistance were answered by enough servants to cause the men to step back. Nonetheless, the altercation distracted Barnes, letting Lady Catherine slip through and enter the room.
Immediately the butler sputtered, “But... but the card is Lady Matlock’s!”
“What of it!” Catherine de Bourgh declared. “I used my sister’s card, for I assumed I would not be welcome.” Her eyes narrowed as she focused on William. He had stood with her entrance—not from respect, but because he was furious. “You can be at no loss, Nephew, to understand the reason for my coming. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I am here.”
William knew her mission, but chose to annoy her by playing naive. “Indeed, you are mistaken, madam. I cannot account for having you here. Most especially when I expressly forbade you from entering this house ever again.”
Lady Catherine ignored his retort. “I am almost the nearest relation you have in the world, and I had to learn that you married some country nobody from this!” She threw a copy of the paper announcing his wedding on the desk. “I have come to demand that you have this ridiculous marriage annulled.”
His eyes narrowed. “That will never happen.”
“Where is she? Have her summoned, so I can see this Jezebel for myself!”
William’s spirits rose. At the least she does not know of our separation. “I shall not subject my wife to your vitriol.”
“Honour, decorum and prudence—nay, interest, requires that you cast her aside. For you wilfully acted against the inclinations of your family when you refused to marry Anne and you mock my daughter by choosing someone so far beneath her as to be laughable. This Bennet woman is without status, wealth or connections. She will be censured, slighted and despised by everyone connected to you. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never again be mentioned by anyone of worth.”
Knowing full well Elizabeth’s true feelings for him, still William could not resist taunting his aunt. “Those are heavy misfortunes indeed. However, as my wife will have extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation, I believe that, upon the whole, she will have no cause to repine. And, I will never regret our marriage.”
“Headstrong, obstinate man! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude for my guidance all of your days? Is nothing due to me on that score?”
William walked around his desk to stand toe-to-toe with his aunt, being sure not to limp or grimace as he did so. “I have never sought your advice, nor have I ever followed it!” he roared. “I do not understand why you think I would begin now.”
Lady Catherine slammed her cane on the floor. “Tell me, once and for all, will you annul this marriage?”
“I WILL NOT.”
“I am shocked and astonished that you are not more reasonable, but do not deceive yourself into believing that I will ever give up. I shall never stop until you have done your duty to Anne.”
“Are you so obtuse as to assume that by throwing aside Elizabeth it will make marriage with Anne more probable? The arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary lie have been frivolous, as well as ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these.”
He turned as if to sit down again, for his ankle was beginning to ache.
“Not so hasty, for I am by no means finished. I am no stranger to the particulars of Miss Bennet’s humiliation in Meryton, which involved your own cousin, of all people! It was a patched-up affair, at your expense. Heaven and earth, what were you thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”
William hissed through clenched teeth, “I warn you, say no more. Leave now or I shall not be responsible for my actions!”
“Stay this course and I will not be responsible for mine, either. For if I do not get satisfaction, I shall visit our joint solicitor and demand that he surrender my part of the family trust in cash. That will insure that there is nothing left in the account to fund spring planting for Pemberley or for Matlock, for that matter, until all the investments mature and are sold. Simply said, I shall receive the cash reserves for my holdings, while your portions will be tied up in stocks and bonds.”
Suddenly, the still partially-open door flew back against the wall with a thud as Lord Matlock marched into the room, his wife right on his heels. “Catherine, I order you to cease your threats and leave these premises immediately!”
The lady whirled around. “You cannot order me about as though I am one of your servants!”
“I can and I do!” the earl declared. “I am the head of this family, and your threats hold no alarm for me.”
“They should! As I told Fitzwilliam, I will withdraw all my funds from the family trust, so that you will no longer have anything to hold over my head. I shall handle all of my affairs and Anne’s from hence forth!”
A look of arrogance crossed Lord Matlock’s face. “If you think Lewis left anything in your control, you are sadly mistaken. He did not trust you with his legacy or with Anne’s inheritance. That is why he left me solely in charge. You have no authority to withdraw from the family trust without my approval and, pray tell, what do you think my answer will be should you ask?”
Lady Catherine’s face paled, but she hesitated for only a moment before trying another line of attack. “Do you have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of our nephew? Do you not care that marriage to that hoyden has disgraced my daughter, as well as him, in the eyes of everyone we hold dear and by association, you and me?”
“Catherine, my sentiments have not changed since you first tried to force Fitzwilliam to marry Anne. Like it or not, Darcy is a grown man, and he must face the consequences of his actions, good or bad. Regardless if I agree or disagree with his choice, I will not interfere now that it is done.”
Her head whipped back to William. “You are resolved to have her then?”
“I am only resolved to act in a manner which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.”
She huffed. “Very well! I shall know how to act. Do not imagine that Miss Bennet’s ambition will ever be gratified by me, nor by any of my friends. I shall never accept her. NEVER!” Then she marched to the door where she stopped to add, “I take no leave of you, Nephew. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”
With a nod to her brother, Lady Catherine went out the door. She could be heard barking orders to the men who had accompanied her, and a few seconds later the slamming of the front door announced her departure. Immediately, William slumped as if completely drained and closed his eyes. Then he grimaced as he limped back to his chair.
Lady Matlock exchanged worried looks with her husband as she said in a motherly tone, “Fitzwilliam, we have tried to abide by your wishes and have not hovered over you since Georgiana informed us that you were injured. She has kept us apprised of your recovery, but if your current state is any indication, you do not seem to be doing well at all.”
Still wincing as he tried to find a comfortable sitting position, William replied, “I am better, I assure you. My ankle is healing, but it is painful to stand for any length of time, as it causes the foot to swell again. Unfortunately, I have been on my feet since dawn.”
Instead of leaving, Lord Matlock guided his wife to a seat in front of William’s desk and took the chair next to hers. He looked uncomfortable as he began to speak. “I wish to apologise for Catherine’s behaviour. Apparently, she still believes she is God.”
Normally that would coax a smile, but William could not be teased today. “I am used to her ways. And let me say that while I appreciate your concern, I do not understand why you thought it necessary to come here to protect me.”
“Now, now, Nephew. I have accepted that you are well able to defend yourself. However, I was concerned that she would strike at a moment of weakness—what with your injury. Furthermore, I felt it necessary to remind my sister once more that I am the head of this family. Nevertheless, I apologise for appearing in your house uninvited and unannounced.”
William accepted his apology with a slight nod.
The countess nudged her husband’s foot, and he cast a glance her way before adding uncertainly, “Might I enquire about Mrs. Darcy’s absence?”
Frustrated, William exclaimed, “Does everyone in the whole of England know that Elizabeth travelled to Pemberley without me?”
William’s aunt could restrain herself no longer. “Why would that surprise you? Your marriage was already THE topic of conversation before the ball and afterward, what with all the rumours of a dalliance in the garden between you and Lady Susan.” She sighed loudly. “We have tried to take your part in this, but how are we to proceed if we do not know the particulars?”
William’s temper flared. “I have never had a dalliance, or anything else, with Lady Susan. She, most likely with Georgiana’s help, tricked me into going to the gazebo the night of the ball. Lady Susan flung herself into my arms and kissed me. I rebuked her and left immediately. That is all there is to that.” He took a deep breath and let it go noisily as he addressed the other point. “As for sending my wife on to Pemberley, her relations were to be in Lambton this week, and she wished to show them her new home. In light of how ill-tempered I am when I do not feel well, I saw no sense in subjecting her to my bad humour while I recuperated. Thus, I sent her on to Pemberley with Richard as he returned north.”
“I remember Anne saying you were never an easy child when you were sick or hurt,” Lady Matlock ventured, trying to sooth his temper.
“And I have only gotten worse with age,” William confessed. “If it suits, you may announce to one and all that I am leaving for Pemberley tomorrow, as my ankle is greatly improved. Perhaps that will assuage the gossips.”
The earl interjected, “If all that limping and grimacing just now is evidence that you are greatly improved, I am pleased I did not see you sooner.”
“Precisely why I sent my wife away.”
“How kind of you to think of her,” Lady Matlock offered weakly.
In truth, she wondered if kindness had anything to do with sending Elizabeth on to Pemberley. Newly-married couples, those who were compatible, would never have parted so effortlessly. In any event, seeing no need to press that subject, she went on to another.
“A while back, Georgiana said that she intended to return to Pemberley when you did. Are you willing to take her now, or do you wish more time alone with Elizabeth before she returns?”
“If she wants to go now, she can. However, she must sleep here tonight for I shall leave very early tomorrow.”
The earl and countess stood to go. “Then we shall take our leave, Fitzwilliam,” the earl said. “If Georgiana still holds to the notion of going with you, I will have her escorted here this evening. Otherwise, we are bound for Matlock later this month, and she can travel to Derbyshire with us.”
“Then she has only to decide.”
LATER THAT EVENING after his bath, instead of going straight to bed as was his practice, William dismissed Mr. Martin and eased his aching body into the large leather chair in the corner of his bedroom. Propping his feet on the matching stool, he glanced at the supper tray on a nearby table, noting that Mrs. Barnes had placed one of her sleeping powders thereon. Rejecting the idea of taking it, he moved the candle on the table closer and reached for the book he had selected from the library. Staring at its cover blankly for some time, he eventually tossed it aside. Tomorrow he would face his demons and force all his desires and hopes regarding his marriage into the furthest chamber of his heart. But tonight... tonight was meant for exploring the tattered remains of his love for Elizabeth. His eyes fixed on a miniature portrait of his mother atop the chest of drawers.
It is fitting, William thought, that my grief over Elizabeth will reside alongside my grief for you, Mother.
Pushing up from the chair, William hobbled to his dresser, opened the top drawer and moved the clothes to one side. Withdrawing a small black box secreted within, he stared at it for a time before lifting the lid. Inside, wrapped in a soft cloth, was a gold wedding band. Wishing for Elizabeth to have a ring that was hers alone, he had commissioned this band when he travelled to London for the special license. It had not been finished until after the wedding, so he had hidden it in this drawer, awaiting the right time to give it to her. Though the sentiments engraved thereon represented his heartfelt pledge of love and faithfulness, it was
obvious that Elizabeth would never be interested in hearing it now. Nonetheless, holding the ring near the candle, he read four ornately engraved words, each punctuated with a diamond in between. First. Last. Only. Always.
Returning to the table, he picked up a half-full crystal decanter and poured another glass of brandy. Sighing heavily, he set the glass down and proceeded to his luggage which lay open on a large stool. Hidden on one side was a special drawer that already contained pieces of their mother’s jewellery that Georgiana had left in London. When not in use, the Darcy jewels were always kept in the walk-in safe at Pemberley. He dropped the ring inside there and locked it. Once he was finished, a thought came to mind.
Perhaps I can have it melted down and made into something less sentimental for Georgiana’s birthday.
Crossing the floor to the leather chair, he dropped tiredly back into the comfortable piece of furniture, letting his head fall back and closing his eyes. Instantly, memories of Elizabeth flooded his mind, beginning with the first time he had seen her at Netherfield and concluding with the day she had rushed angrily from this very room. Now he was left with only one question: How had the desire for a marriage of mutual love and affection gone so awry?
The voice of his conscious was quick to taunt. It went awry because you let your dreams override common sense.
Angrily William’s head flew up, and he took a swallow of brandy. I tried to resist! I left Netherfield when I realised I was attracted to her.
The voice would not be hushed. You left, but you let the notion of true love get a foothold in your heart. You had already fallen in love.
William huffed . How could I have fallen in love then? The first time I saw her she was covered in mud, and her hair was loose and wild. Even Caroline Bingley said she looked positively medieval with her hem six inches deep in mud .
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 38