A Certain Something

by Cassandra B Leigh

  Seizing upon a unique opportunity, Elizabeth smiled at Darcy. “Fitzwilliam, I wonder if you would like a tour of my father’s library.”

  Mrs Bennet instantly agreed. “Oh yes, Mr Darcy. ’Tis nothing compared to your collection, I daresay, but Mr Bennet has some excellent titles.”

  Although Darcy had already seen the library, he raised no objection to the scheme. No doubt he had already perceived her purpose for bringing him to an unoccupied room. As soon as they entered the room, she rose up to her toes and offered her lips. He eagerly obliged and held her close.

  “Since the memory of our prior meeting in this room gives me no pleasure, I wanted something better to remember,” she said, gazing up at him.

  “As long as I live, I shall never tire of holding you in my arms.”

  She clung to him, breathing in his sandalwood scent. She explained the reason for her earlier surprise and the fascinating spectacle she had observed. “I suspect the same dazzling display surrounds us at this moment.” His lips met hers once again, and she threaded her fingers through his hair, pressing him closer.

  They were interrupted when Jane entered the library, bathed in glowing light, her eyes misty with tears, then blushed brightly upon finding Elizabeth and Darcy locked in a passionate embrace. He instantly released her and stepped away. Jane hesitated, her chin quivering and her gaze drifting between them, leaving Elizabeth to wonder what had happened. “I will leave you to discuss your private affairs,” Darcy said, then attempted to walk away.

  Jane held up her hands to stop him. “No, Mr Darcy. Since you and Mr Bingley are such close friends, I can have no secrets from you. As he promised last month, he asked me to enter into a courtship, which I immediately accepted and thought myself the happiest creature in the world,” she said, her eyes gleaming with affection. “He claimed that he, too, was happy, but would be much more so if we were betrothed. I agreed with his sentiments, and now…we are betrothed!”

  “Oh, Jane,” Elizabeth said, embracing her sister. “I wish you and Mr Bingley every joy.” Darcy repeated her sentiments, remarking that Jane and Bingley were perfectly matched.

  She shook her head. “’Tis too much. I deserve no such happiness,” Jane said, her eyes overflowing with tears, which she quickly swiped away.

  Elizabeth quickly contradicted her. “No one deserves happiness as much as you.”

  Jane wrung her hands and paced nervously over the floor. “Papa will not expect it. Mr Bingley has already gone to him. Even Mama will be surprised,” she said, then stopped abruptly. “Will you send Mama to me in the sun parlour?”

  Elizabeth and Darcy discharged their errand and remained in the sitting parlour to wait for events to unfold. Joyous cries soon resounded from the sun parlour. “Oh! My dear, dear Jane, I am so happy! I knew how it would be. I always said he would marry you. Did I not say so when he first moved to Netherfield?”

  Kitty and Lydia giggled, with Georgiana joining in the merriment. Even Mrs Annesley nodded her head in approval of the jubilance echoing through Longbourn.

  Darcy leaned in closer to Elizabeth. “It seems to me that Mrs Bennet not only expected Jane’s betrothal but she predicted it. Is she gifted, as well?” he whispered.

  “She does have the gift of positive thinking,” Elizabeth said with a laugh, then wondered if it was possible to wish for something with such fervent persistence that it finally came true.

  ***

  After a pleasant evening of celebration, Darcy returned to Lucas Lodge for the evening, finding Sir William awaiting him, accompanied by a guest. “Ah, another happy bridegroom has come to join us, Mr Collins,” Sir William said with a merry chuckle. Darcy braced himself for another absurd encounter.

  Bowing deeply and perspiring heavily, Mr Collins appeared less jovial than the older gentleman. “Mr Darcy, it is incumbent upon me to advise you not to enter into a marriage which has not been properly sanctioned,” he said in a grave tone.

  “I fear I do not properly understand you, sir,” Darcy said through clenched teeth. He resented any intrusion into his private affairs but even more so from this encroaching imbecile.

  Mr Collins mopped his head with a handkerchief. “Your implicit betrothal to Miss de Bourgh is widely known throughout Kent.”

  Darcy presumed that Lady Catherine had repeated her wish that he would one day marry her daughter and unite their two estates. Under no circumstances would his imperious aunt claim Pemberley as her own. “Let me assure you, Mr Collins, whatever you may have heard in Kent about my betrothal is entirely false.”

  Unsettled by the discord under his roof, Sir William begged Mr Collins to desist. “I must agree with Mr Darcy. No one is more suited to him than Miss Eliza,” he said in a sombre voice.

  Shaking his head, Mr Collins mumbled and stammered, then fell silent. Confident that he had squelched any misinformation regarding him and his future bride, Darcy bade the two men good night and retired to his guest chamber. Indignant at the suggestion that he needed anyone’s consent in order to marry, he steamed silently while his valet prepared him for bed. However, by the time he blew out the candle, he resolved to put the issue out of his mind. Refusing to allow Mr Collins to disturb his sleep that night, he turned his thoughts to his brief interlude in the library and drifted off with Elizabeth on his mind.

  ***

  On Tuesday, Darcy joined the occupants of Longbourn for breakfast. He found the party in the highest spirits, with Bingley already in attendance. Darcy selected his meal from the sideboard and sat next to his betrothed. Having no desire to upset her, he had already decided against informing Elizabeth of his distasteful encounter at Lucas Lodge last night. Instead, the conversation centred on Bingley and his progress in making Netherfield habitable again.

  “Your chamber is nearly ready for you, Darcy, if you want to join me tonight. I fear I must beg for more time to accommodate Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley,” Bingley said.

  “The ladies are perfectly welcome to stay at Longbourn as long as they choose,” Mrs Bennet said, smiling affectionately at Georgiana and her companion.

  The sound of approaching horses drew Lydia to the window. “What an elegant carriage, Mama.”

  Mrs Bennet rose to peek out the window. “I do not recognise the equipage. Perhaps your sisters have decided to return, after all, Mr Bingley.”

  Knowing that scenario to be impossible, Darcy exchanged sceptical glances with Bingley.

  “’Tis Mr Collins with a grand lady,” Lydia said, then hurried back to her seat.

  They had not long to wonder about the identity of the woman; a servant announced Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy groaned inwardly as she entered the breakfast parlour with the insipid parson trembling in her wake. Having no question of how she had learned of his whereabouts, Darcy rose to receive his formidable aunt. What could she mean by barging into Longbourn without an invitation? The hour was far too early for social calls. And how had Mr Collins come to be in the lady’s company? Had he summoned her to Lucas Lodge?

  Lady Catherine glanced around the room with her usual air of disdain. Darcy was about to perform the introductions when Mr Bennet bowed and welcomed the lady to break her fast with the family.

  “I suppose you are Mr Bennet,” she said.

  “At your service, my lady.”

  She barely acknowledged him with a nod of her head, then cast stormy eyes on Darcy. “I must speak to you at once, Darcy,” she said, then tapped her walking stick on the floor, as if to command his immediate obedience.

  Ashamed of his aunt’s incivility, he clenched his jaw. “Please allow me to introduce Mrs Bennet to you, Aunt,” he said, gesturing to his future mother-in-law, who quivered with delight and dropped into a deep curtsy.

  Lady Catherine sniffed indignantly. “Are these your daughters, madam?”

  “Yes, my lady, all five.”

  Spying Georgiana, her brows drew together. “Why in the world is my niece in this house?”

  Georgiana paled and hung h
er head. “The Bennets have been quite hospitable, Aunt,” she said with a quivering voice.

  “You are Miss Elizabeth, I suppose,” the lady said, pointing to Jane with her walking stick.

  Mrs Bennet reached for Elizabeth. “Oh no, my lady, here is Elizabeth,” she said, patting Elizabeth’s hand. “She and Mr Darcy are recently betrothed.”

  “Then it is true,” Lady Catherine said with a contemptuous scowl while Mr Collins cowered behind her. “I had hoped to hear the report of your engagement denied.”

  Darcy bristled at his aunt’s interference. “Why should I deny that I have chosen a wife?”

  “We shall discuss this privately,” she said, then walked out to the hall. Although ashamed of her arrogance, Darcy hoped to prevent further offence to the Bennet family and followed her out of the parlour. He directed a quelling stare at the parson as he passed by. “I will deal with you later.”

  Lady Catherine turned to face him in the hall. “You can be at no loss to understand the reason for my travelling hither, Darcy.”

  “I fail to comprehend how my engagement is any of your concern.”

  Her lip curled into a sneer. “How could you offer for a woman of uncertain birth and little standing in the world?”

  “She is a gentleman’s daughter, and I care little for her standing in the world.”

  “You should care that her mother is a tradesman’s daughter,” she said, her voice rising in exasperation. “Have you forgotten your duty to the family?”

  He refused to give her the upper hand. “By taking a wife, I am fulfilling my obligation to secure Pemberley’s future.”

  “I would not think you capable of dishonouring Lady Anne’s fondest wish.” He emitted a frustrated groan at the mention of his mother’s name. “Her namesake has been your betrothed since the moment of her birth.”

  Elizabeth appeared in the hallway, evoking a sneer from Lady Catherine. “You!” she said, pointing at Elizabeth. “You have beguiled my nephew with your arts and allurements, causing him to neglect his duty to the family.”

  Elizabeth set her jaw and narrowed her eyes. “I have done nothing of the kind.”

  Darcy reached for Elizabeth and draped her hand over his arm. “I would beg you to refrain from insulting my affianced wife.” Her family gathered in the doorway to observe their discussion.

  The lady harrumphed. “Your mother and I planned your union while you were both in your cradles. You are destined for each other by the voice of every member of both houses.” Darcy had heard this argument before; he did not believe it then, nor did he believe it now. Elizabeth glanced up at him and shook her head, confirming his suspicions.

  Darcy stood his ground. “Even if such an arrangement existed, I am not bound to honour it.”

  “Will you allow a woman of inferior birth, with no importance in the world, to prevent you from fulfilling your obligation to your family?” she said with flared nostrils.

  “I will, gladly, willingly and proudly. Now what have you to say?”

  “Your alliance will be a disgrace. Are the halls of Pemberley to be polluted by the stench of trade?”

  His ire rose at her offensive language in the presence of his future family; now she had gone too far. Before he could respond, Georgiana crept into the hall and stood beside Elizabeth. “If my uncle has no objection to the marriage, why should you?” she said with more defiance than Darcy had ever witnessed in her.

  “My brother consented to this alliance?” Lady Catherine said with a sniff. “I think not.”

  Confident that the earl would confirm his opinion, Darcy pursued another tactic. “Aunt Catherine, I beg you to desist in this scheme. I am master of my own fortune and shall marry as I choose.”

  She angrily struck the floor with her walking stick. “This woman is nothing compared to my daughter, a woman of noble birth.”

  By this time, the rest of the party had followed them into the hall. Darcy noticed that her family looked to Elizabeth every time Lady Catherine spoke, as if to get her confirmation of the truth.

  “If your daughter is so desirable, why didn’t Mr Darcy offer for her?” Elizabeth said in a resolute voice, making him even more proud of her than before.

  Lady Catherine started at this challenge. “Insolent girl! You are determined to ruin him and make him the contempt of the world!”

  Once again, Elizabeth shook her head.

  “She is fibbing!” Kitty said, then hobbled closer to Lady Catherine. “No one believes you, so you may as well get back in your fancy carriage and find another husband for your daughter.”

  “That will be all, Kitty,” Mr Bennet said, then bowed to Lady Catherine. “I believe you have said what you came to say, my lady, and you may take your leave, confident that your errand has been duly discharged.” He signalled to his servant, who opened the front door and stood aside.

  Lady Catherine refused to budge. “You will be censured, slighted, and despised. Do not expect your union to be recognised by your family or friends,” she said, her eyes flaming with fire.

  Mr Bennet turned his attention to the parson. “As for you, Cousin, you are welcome to return to Longbourn when I am dead.” He ushered his family into the breakfast parlour, then closed the door, leaving the guests unattended in the hall.

  At the sound of the carriage driving away, the family resumed their places at the breakfast table.

  Humiliated by his aunt’s disruption, Darcy addressed his hosts. “Mr and Mrs Bennet, I apologise for my aunt’s incivility. She had no cause to insult your daughter.”

  “My daughters are the jewels of the county, as Sir William likes to say,” Mrs Bennet said with a decisive nod of her head.

  He held Elizabeth’s hand under the table. “Indeed, there has never been a finer, more noble family than the Bennets.” He silently vowed to protect them until his dying breath, even from his own family. For this grievous offence, he would never again receive Lady Catherine into any of his houses. As for the traitorous parson, he had yet to determine his best course of action, but under no circumstances would he ever threaten the Darcy or Bennet families again.

  Chapter 24

  Despite her hopes for a far better future for her dearest friend, Elizabeth summoned her sunniest attitude on Thursday to witness Charlotte’s marriage to Mr William Collins. Seated between Jane and Darcy, she waited for the Lucas family’s arrival and said a silent prayer of thanks. Having spent every Sunday of her life in this church, she knew her own wedding would take place here someday, as would all of her sisters and friends. She had always hoped for a loving husband, and in one month, Fitzwilliam Darcy would vow to love her, comfort her, and honour her as long as he lived.

  Although Charlotte deserved to find similar felicity in marriage, she had settled for security alone. Mr Collins made a good living, and as his wife, Charlotte would be mistress of her own home, which was her greatest wish. However, Charlotte had made her decision with her eyes wide open. At seven and twenty years of age, she needed a husband, and Mr Collins needed a wife. They had made themselves agreeable to each other, and if Charlotte could overlook his faults, they might get on well together.

  When the church doors opened, Charlotte walked down the aisle on her father’s arm towards the man who was in no way suited to her. Where Charlotte was level-headed and practical, Mr Collins was weak willed and servile. Where she was loyal to friends and family, Mr Collins’s loyalty to his patroness rose to disturbing heights, he deferred to her on every issue, and put her interests above his own. When the sombre bride and groom stood at the altar, Elizabeth observed no sparkling light around them. She hoped that the mood at her own wedding would be more festive than this one.

  As the ceremony commenced, Darcy reached for Elizabeth’s hand, and she realised that he, too, was reflecting on their upcoming wedding. Lights glimmered around him, as usual whenever they were together. As Charlotte and Mr Collins exchanged vows, Elizabeth squeezed Darcy’s hand, knowing they would soon recite those same v
ows to each other.

  “For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

  Despite her own eager anticipation of making that same promise to Fitzwilliam, she could not ignore the sadness in her heart for Charlotte, who was now forever tied to such a man. However, upon observing the shimmering glow encircling Jane and Mr Bingley, her spirits quickly recovered. Their love had been true from the onset of their acquaintance; Elizabeth had every reason to believe that they would be as happy together as she and Fitzwilliam.

  After signing the registry, the newly married couple proceeded up the aisle, both wearing bright smiles. When the Lucas family followed behind, Sir William beamed broadly as he escorted his wife towards the church door. Regardless of her own opinion on the marriage, Elizabeth had to admit that there was cause for celebration; Charlotte finally had a husband, and Sir William had a son-in-law. If they were both satisfied with their lots in life, then Elizabeth had no cause to lament.

  ***

  After the Collins wedding, Darcy escorted Elizabeth up the aisle knowing that, in one short month, he would celebrate his own marriage in this same church.

  When they reached the church door, the bride’s parents accepted his felicitations with high spirits. “A momentous day,” Sir William said with a merry chuckle. “Next month, you and Mr Bingley will carry away the two brightest jewels of the county.”

  There may have been a time when Darcy would have been annoyed at such superficial banter, but having been the object of Sir William’s gallantry, he shook the older gentleman’s hand. “I owe my good fortune to you, sir.”

  In the vestibule, Elizabeth embraced Charlotte and wished her every joy while Mr Collins looked on, nodding his head in approval. Despite Darcy’s irritation with Mr Collins for informing Lady Catherine of his betrothal, at least now his aunt would cease her constant hints about his match with Anne. Her obsession with their arranged marriage had been a constant source of discord since he’d come of age, and the issue had finally been put to rest.