by Wells, Linda
“It could come at anytime. She could linger this way or simply drift away. She has rallied before, we simply do not know. I am just happy to see that she is not suffering anymore. I know that you told her she is not married to Mr. Darcy, but truly sir, does it do her harm to believe it now?”
“I suppose not. I will be glad to know that her final days will be ones of peace.” Lord Matlock said sadly. “I will be glad to reassure Darcy that he did the right thing in marrying Elizabeth, and I hope that Richard is happy with his decision as well.” He looked around the halls of the old manor. “He was correct; of course, this place belongs to the de Bourghs. The Fitzwilliam who came to live here did it no favours.”
“I disagree sir; you brought it back to my family. I never would have known were it not for your efforts.” De Bourgh smiled and drew a deep breath. “Well, I have returned from the sea to live on the land.”
“Let us see what you can make of it.”
“MR. BENNET, HOW CAN YOU LEAVE here in Mr. Darcy’s carriage and return by ours?” Mrs. Bennet demanded. “What have you done?”
“Done, Mrs. Bennet?” He stepped down from the carriage and frowned. “Why should Mr. Darcy bear the cost of transporting us home as well? It was generous of your brother to send us halfway and simple for our man to meet us at the inn.” He looked at Mary who nodded and scurried inside. “Come Wife, we have need of conversation.”
She followed him into the bookroom. “I suppose that you have found some terrible school for Mary. I disagree with this most vehemently, Mr. Bennet! If Lizzy can catch a man without this schooling, so can the other girls! And what of the funds you will waste? It will leave far less for our girls, and you know that they will all soon be out and will need new wardrobes.”
Mr. Bennet closed the door and took his seat. “Mrs. Bennet please sit down.”
She sighed and took a seat. “What is this about? I have much too much to accomplish! Lizzy is to be married in a few weeks!”
“No, she is not.”
“WHAT! What did she do? I knew that she would ruin it somehow! Could she not at least have married him first before driving him away? You should have brought me with you!” She began fluttering her handkerchief and moaning. “What will become of us?”
“Calm yourself!” He demanded. “Mrs. Bennet, Lizzy married Mr. Darcy three days ago.”
Mrs. Bennet’s movements stopped. “What did you say?”
“She is married. Mary and I witnessed it. Mr. Darcy needs to return to his estate quickly and they decided to marry as soon as he returned.”
“But … But she did not come here to get her things, I … I did not get to show her off to the neighbours! And Mr. Darcy, nobody has seen him!”
“And they likely will not see him.” Mr. Bennet said quietly. “They will stop here on their way to Pemberley next week. Briefly. Mr. Darcy is allowing it purely as a concession to Elizabeth’s wishes to say goodbye to her sisters.”
“But …”
“No Mrs. Bennet. Our daughter is a married woman now, and she will follow her husband’s will. He is very unhappy with us. He is angry with our behaviour in his home, and our neglect of our daughters. Most of all he is angry with your berating of Elizabeth and my amusement with it. I was permitted to walk Elizabeth to him in church, but I was treated as a guest at her wedding breakfast. It was a terribly humbling experience, and one that I will never forget. Again, it was Lizzy’s desire that I be present that allowed me the honour of giving her away.”
“You knew they were to marry before you left?” She cried angrily.
“I did, and I knew that you were not welcome.”
“Why? I am her mother!”
“When have you ever done anything but tell her she was unfit?” Mr. Bennet shook his head. “No, it is my fault for allowing it to continue, and allowing you to educate them. You had no education yourself, so you could not prepare our girls for the world they might enter. The Gardiners deserve the credit for that. Mary will begin school in October. Jane will remain in London for as long as she wishes. I have given Gardiner funds for her keep. Our other daughters will not be permitted to come out until they are seventeen.”
“That is ridiculous, Mr. Bennet, the girls must be married as soon as possible! If Mr. Darcy dies, who will take care of us? That Mr. Harwick used Jane ill. He promised to marry her!”
“He promised to court her and consider the notion. Our behaviour; and Jane admitted to me, her own, drove him away.” He sighed and Mrs. Bennet stared at him with her mouth agape. “Yes, Mrs. Bennet. We seem to have driven away Mr. Stewart and Mr. Harwick. Is it not fortunate that Mr. Darcy met Lizzy outside of our influence?”
“She is Mrs. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet confirmed.
“She is. She is the mistress of Pemberley at the tender age of seventeen.”
“We are saved!” She jumped up and left the room. “Hill! Hill! Where is my bonnet! Call for the carriage! I must visit Mrs. Philips!”
“One moment, madam!” Mr. Bennet called. She returned and stood in the doorway. “Please return to your seat.”
“What is it, Mr. Bennet? I must tell my sister of our good fortune!”
“Mrs. Bennet. I have given you freedom to spend the household income as you wished. That will be no more. In order to send the girls to school, we will need to save in other areas. I cannot afford to employ a governess for Lydia and Kitty, so I will expect you to sit down with them and read for at least an hour a day, and we will discuss your assignments at dinner each night. With any luck it might broaden your knowledge as well. Hopefully it is not too late to save them. I am counting on Mrs. Gardiner to help Jane.”
“This is ridiculous!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Reading a book will not help our girls to catch a man!”
“It certainly helped Lizzy.” He said quietly. “And she is the daughter who is married.” She could not think of an argument to counter that so she left the room, calling for the carriage once again. Mr. Bennet closed his eyes and listened to his wife’s voice receding into the background. Nothing he had said made an impact on her. “And now it is up to me, as my brother said.” He heard Lydia and Kitty exclaiming over Elizabeth’s good fortune and wondering when she would bring them to London. “Never, if her husband has anything to say of it.” He said softly. “It will be fortunate enough if he takes care of you when I am gone.”
“CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?” Caroline shook the paper at Wickham. “Mr. Darcy was not married to his cousin! Charles was speaking the truth!”
Wickham took the wedding notice from her hand and narrowed his eyes. “So, he married her. Again, Darcy gets exactly what he wants.”
“I do not understand.” Caroline said when she grabbed the paper back and stared in disbelief. “Why would he want this girl? She has nothing! His cousin had another estate! If he was not to marry her, you would think that he would at least take an heiress.” She huffed and Wickham rolled his eyes.
You mean he would not take you. He thought and wondered what to do next. Caroline was not a woman to be rushed off to Gretna Green, she was much sharper than her brother when it came to marriage. Her anger with Darcy was useful, he might tell her his sad tale of mistreatment one day, but for now his presumed connection to Pemberley and the first circles is what had her interested in him. He could not make her doubt his friendship with Darcy until he had married her, and of course after a suitable honeymoon, disappeared with her dowry. As he pondered the question Bingley appeared and startled him out of his reverie.
“What are you talking about so heatedly, Caroline? You might scare your suitor away!” Bingley laughed and smiled at Wickham as he took his seat. “I do hope that is not the case, sir.”
“Oh no, certainly not. We were just noting that you were correct; Darcy did indeed marry Miss Elizabeth.”
A wide smile appeared and Bingley chuckled as he sat back and crossed his legs. “It was a joyful ceremony; the two of them were oblivious to all who were asked to bear witness. I was honoured with his
invitation.”
Caroline’s head snapped up. “You were at Mr. Darcy’s wedding? Why did you not say something? Mr. Wickham, should you not have been at the nuptials?”
“I have not been in close contact with Darcy since his father died, and I know of his private nature.” Wickham soothed her.
Bingley smiled and nodded. “As I said Caroline, only a few were asked to come, and it was even fewer who were invited to Matlock House for the wedding breakfast.”
“Of course, the Fitzwilliams.” Wickham said softly.
“Why, do you know them as well? I imagine you would know them from their visits to Pemberley! Colonel Fitzwilliam is quite impressive in his uniform; he did an excellent job moving the groom from his bed to the altar I understand, though I imagine that his sword was not necessary!” Bingley chuckled as Wickham’s eyes widened. “I look forward to spending time with the new Darcys, but I think that they will be well out of circulation for quite an extended period, if I can draw anything from the way Darcy hurried his bride out of Matlock House!”
Wickham nodded in agreement and noted Caroline’s disappointed expression. He clearly needed to move before the Darcys emerged from their secluded honeymoon, and surely that gave him no more than a month. The time to act was now. Turning to Caroline, he delivered his most charming smile. “All of this talk of weddings and hearing of Darcy’s joy has put me in mind to think of my own happiness. Miss Bingley, may I speak to you privately?”
“ELIZABETH, COULD YOU HELP ME, PLEASE?” Darcy looked across his desk to her and she smiled from behind the pile of invitations she was reading. “I have never done well with reading Bingley’s notes. I am always certain that I miss something. Can you decipher this?” He handed her the heavily blotched and nearly illegible sheet and she laughed.
“Did a child of three pen this?” She held it up and turned it, laughing harder and squinting. Looking up she saw her husband’s eyes twinkling at her, it had seemingly become a permanent fixture of his expression over the past week of their solitude. “How can a grown man be so careless?”
“I will not begin to try and explain his schooling dearest, I only ask for interpretation.” Darcy reached across the corner of the desk to hold her hand while she read.
“I believe …my goodness! Miss Bingley is engaged!” She looked up to see his surprise.
“Well does he mention the man’s name? He never has managed to reveal his identity.”
Elizabeth shook her head and giggled. “It looks like … Oh, I cannot say what it looks like. Let us call him Mr. W and hope for a proper introduction on Thursday night.”
“What is Thursday night?”
“The engagement dinner.” She smiled. “We should go. We will be receiving callers beginning Monday, and it will be safe for you to call at Mr. Bingley’s home now. Miss Bingley will have no interest in you.”
“That is true. I have avoided Bingley’s invitations, and I do feel badly about not going to his home.”
Elizabeth squeezed his hand. “He knew why, Fitzwilliam. Perhaps that is why he was so eager to notify you and explains the illegible note.” She smiled and Darcy laughed.
“No, that is kind of you to say, but I am afraid it is not the case. He is hopeless.” Slowly caressing her hand he sighed. “I do not look forward to next week.”
“No, I know that you do not. I cannot say that I anticipate it either.” She looked up at him. “Aunt Helen promised to come and help me through the visits.”
“I will be with you.” He reassured her. “I would not let you face this alone.”
“Thank you.” She set down Bingley’s letter, and responding easily to the tug of his hand, moved to curl up on his lap. “You should probably return to your normal activities as well.”
Darcy kissed her and smiled. “What exactly are those?”
“I am not sure.” Elizabeth looked at him worriedly. “Surely you must have regular habits?”
“Yes, but … I am not terribly social. I would drop by the club briefly but not to spend the day, and generally it was for business.” Darcy hugged her. “Are you wishing me gone so that you can begin to enjoy the privileges of married women?”
“What exactly are those?”
“You mean besides the obvious?”
“Are you referring to yourself?” Elizabeth snuggled into him, and listened to his rumbling chuckle. “Oh I love how much you laugh now.”
“I do, too.” Darcy kissed her forehead, and when she smiled up to him, tasted her lips for a slow, soft exchange. They both sighed and held each other tighter. “Is it not obvious my love, that my preferred companion will always be you?”
“I feel the same way about you.” She looked up and they kissed again. Darcy’s hand slipped beneath her gown, and he gently stroked her hip and thigh as they spoke. “I just did not want to keep you from your friends.”
“I do not have that many, dear. I have you. I have always wanted to have you.” He touched her hair and caressed her cheek. “I do not wish to live the life that society expects, do you?”
“I admit that I have no idea what that is.” Elizabeth laughed. “Your aunt has not progressed so far in my lessons. Our premature wedding ended them early, I fear.”
“I am glad of that. We may forge our own path. Do you mind?”
“No, I like the sound of that very much. So what is our plan? Are you to be the great explorer and I; your trusty companion?”
“That sounds interesting. You have the ebony locks of a mysterious native guide.” Darcy wrapped a curl around his finger, “Shall I call you Sacajawea?”
“Are you Lewis or Clark?” Elizabeth giggled, and he smiled, loving that she knew what he had referenced. “Shall we explore Pemberley and map it out together?”
“Now that is something I never did as a boy. Even Richard, the instigator of all adventures, did not suggest such a thing. However, we must begin with your riding lessons.”
“Ah, so true.”
“Did you know how arousing your letter to me was?” He whispered. “When you wrote of sharing my mount?”
“What did I say?”
“I will demonstrate it for you when we arrive at home.” Darcy kissed her. “Frequently.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth blushed and he hugged her. “It is too bad that we cannot have more time like this, just the two of us. I have read your letters Fitzwilliam, so many want your time.”
“I know.” Darcy rested his cheek in her hair. “We have two social engagements that we must attend. I must address the meetings I have put off, and then we will depart for home, but when we arrive my love, we will resume what we have begun. Georgiana will not join us for three weeks; she will travel with the Matlock party.”
Elizabeth lifted her head. “When was this decided?”
“Uncle mentioned it when he wrote of the trip to Rosings. He said to consider it a honeymoon gift.” Darcy laughed to see her blush again. “Georgiana was happy to agree.”
“I am looking forward to knowing my new sister, but I admit, I like the idea of knowing my new husband even better.” She touched his face and he leaned into her caress. “Fitzwilliam?”
“hmm?” He closed his eyes and kissed her palm, still gently caressing his hand beneath her skirt.
“Do you remember in my letter, I wrote about wanting to taste you?”
Darcy’s hand stilled and he said shakily, “yes.”
She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered. “I still do.”
Chapter 29
“Shoulders back, Elizabeth.” Lady Matlock directed. “We are going into battle.” “Yes, Aunt Helen.” She bit her lip and met Darcy’s eye.
“They will be curious, my love, but not openly rude.” He said quietly. “It is a formality of married life.”
“And you must then drop your cards off around town. Of course, I will accompany you on that. Not just anybody will receive notice from Mrs. Darcy.” Lady Matlock was staring out of the sitting room door, listening to the sounds of th
e guests arriving, and did not notice Elizabeth’s smile. Darcy did and suppressed his chuckle. That the grande dame did notice. “Darcy, control yourself.”
“Forgive me, Aunt.” He straightened and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “I believe that Elizabeth is still rather unimpressed with her status as my wife.”
“I am?” She asked with surprise. “According to whom?”
“You do not attend me with awe.”
“No, when you are behaving pompously, I feel that laughter is the best response.”
“Elizabeth, wit and laughter are frowned upon strongly in our society.” Lady Matlock turned to her and spoke seriously. “Please remember that.”
“Why?” She turned to Darcy, “Is it unattractive?”
“No, that is what first drew my attention to you.” He looked at his aunt. “Perhaps the absolute absence of it in our society is the reason.”
“Proper behaviour for ones of our status is to smile slightly and nod. Great expressions of emotion are seen as crass. Observe and learn.” She looked back to the door.
Elizabeth looked worriedly at Darcy and he smiled reassuringly. “Remember how Jane behaves?”
“I am to be like her?”
“Perhaps you should be like me before we married.” He kissed her hand. “Dour.”
She smiled and he squeezed the hand he still held. “Do not hold her hand, Darcy.” Lady Matlock said quietly.
Darcy looked at the hand in his grasp, then up to see fear appear in Elizabeth’s eyes. “No, Aunt. They will accept or reject us, but we will be ourselves.”
The footman appeared to announce the first visitors and the trio stood. Over the next two hours there was an unending stream, some staying long enough to transmit congratulations and depart, some wished to interview Elizabeth, some wished to observe their behaviour, but mostly it was the curious, the gossip-hungry, and the jealous. When the last guest left, Elizabeth’s frozen smile fell away, and Darcy drew her into his arms to kiss her cheek and close his eyes.