Smoky Dreams

by Jaeza Rayleigh

  Elizabeth patted him gently on the shoulder as she rose to go get the paper. Darcy knew this was the right thing to do. He might have gone to deliver his message in person, but his aunt was more likely to ignore a personal visit. A letter carried more weight despite being written on flimsy paper. Now they just had to wait for the results. It was sure to be either a firestorm or brooding silence. Or perhaps one followed by the other, knowing his aunt. Time would tell.

  Chapter 27: His Story Repeats Itself

  Dinner that evening was a pleasant meal despite the presence of Mrs. Denny. Her husband had arrived, by invitation, around the time Darcy completed the final copy of his letter to Lady Catherine. Darcy and Richard were both glad of Denny’s presence. The gentlemen had all gotten along very well the evening before. Even aside from their upcoming connections to the Bennet family, the four men – Darcy, Bingley, Richard and Denny – had found many shared interests on which to converse and they looked forward to being in company yet again.

  Mrs. Denny was granted the privilege of joining the family for the meal so long as she followed the standards of behavior her husband clearly set out for her. If she failed to do so, she would be returned to her room immediately. If she succeeded, she would earn the chance to attend a small dinner party hosted by her aunt the following evening, where a limited group of guests would celebrate the Denny wedding as well as the betrothals of her older sisters. Successful completion of that event would earn her the two new gowns and assorted accessories her mother and sisters had already purchased on her behalf as well as the opportunity to wear one of the new gowns to a farewell party on Saturday evening, which would, in turn, allow her to attend church on Sunday. Captain and Mrs. Denny would leave for Newcastle early Monday morning, so that would be her last chance to see her neighbors, and show off her ring, for some time to come.

  Mrs. Denny managed to squeak through the first challenge, although she did complain about having to go back upstairs when the women withdrew instead of being able to join them in the drawing room. Denny did not want her in company while out of his sight on this first evening's test, so he insisted and up she went.

  Richard, as the only one of them who had not seen Mrs. Denny's previous behavior, had not been terribly impressed by her table manners or conversation. He said so after the women had all withdrawn. The rest of the men, however, noted a definite improvement. When Darcy insisted the difference was immense, Richard shook his head.

  "I think I understand why Miss Elizabeth was so annoyed at me yesterday. Mrs. Denny is pretty, without a doubt, but as her sister said, her character will have far more to do with how happy the marriage might be than her looks will. I do not envy you, Denny."

  "When did my Lizzy make that statement to you, Colonel?" Mr. Bennet asked with a teasing glimmer in his eyes.

  "Shortly after I was introduced to her. I offered a foolish compliment saying that if Mrs. Denny was as pretty as the four sisters I had already met, then Denny was a lucky man."

  Mr. Bennet laughed. "Oh, yes, that would hit one of Lizzy's sore spots. She has listened to her mother's comments for years that all a girl has to do is be pretty to find a good husband. My wife never understood the draw intelligent conversation might be to the right man and has often declared Lizzy would never marry well, if at all, because no man likes a bluestocking."

  "I still have trouble understanding all the contradictions that make up your wife, sir," Darcy said. "I know she is much more than she appears, but it is hard to reconcile the character of the woman who cares for your tenants and neighbors with the one who publicly insults and embarrasses her own daughters."

  "Well, I never gave her the proper guidance or notice. Let us hope Lydia has a hidden store of kindness and generosity that Denny, here, can bring out with his form of wife-training."

  "I'll drink to that," Denny said, raising his glass of port. The others all laughed.

  ~*~

  Darcy watched the messenger ride off down Netherfield's drive with mixed feelings. He knew sending the letters was the correct course of action. All the same, he remembered the story of Pandora's box. What evil was he releasing into the world by openly defying Lady Catherine?

  He knew his life had certainly turned upside down from the moment he decided to listen to his dreams and return to Hertfordshire. He had managed to turn a few other people's lives upside down as well in the process. Bingley found his true strength and had won the heart of the woman he loved. Miss Bingley had lost all the power and consequence she imagined she possessed. The Hursts were on notice they could not continue sponging off Bingley unless they helped rein Miss Bingley in.

  Wickham had suffered the greatest loss. He was no longer free to lie and cheat his way through life. Although, even at the Marshalsea, Darcy expected Wickham would find someone to charm and cheat. It was inevitable. So long as he did not manage to procure his own release by it there was nothing Darcy felt he could do about that.

  By far, the changes to himself and his relationships with others were the greatest benefit Darcy had realized from listening to that voice inside. His relationship with his sister had improved and he felt more brother than substitute father to her now. With Bingley, as well, there was a shift from mentor to friend, putting them on more equal ground. Above all, there was Elizabeth. He had been a fool to think wealth and connections were more important than following his feelings. He knew differently now.

  And soon, Lady Catherine's life would be turned upside down, or perhaps inside out, depending on how angry she became at loosing even the illusion of control over her nephew. As the messenger disappeared in the distance, Darcy wondered how long it would be before she made her displeasure known.

  ~*~

  At the dinner at the Phillips home, Darcy noticed Denny stayed very close to his wife. Mrs. Denny continued to behave with something approaching decorum. It was too soon hope she had changed in essentials yet, but Denny had been very clear on the rules she must follow, and she wanted those new gowns and the chance to go to the farewell party. She followed his rules to the best of her ability.

  Miss Lucas was at the dinner as well. At first, she tried to avoid the company of Darcy and Richard, but Elizabeth was not willing to let the discomfort between them continue. After she and Darcy introduced the Colonel to the guests who did not yet know him, she went and hooked her arm through that of Miss Lucas to guide the somewhat reluctant woman over to where the two men stood talking with Sir William. When Darcy and Richard greeted her with all due courtesy and made no attempt to bring up the awkward subjects they had canvassed at their first meeting, she slowly began to relax in their company. No one seemed to think anything of it when Richard brought her in to dinner, not even Miss Lucas.

  Miss Maria had recovered from her cold and was able to join them that evening as well. Her presence, and Georgiana's joy at seeing her, make Darcy glad he had advocated for his sister when Richard protested allowing her to join them due to her young age.

  "Georgiana is nothing like Mrs. Denny," he had told Richard. "She knows how to behave well in company and is gaining skill and confidence from socializing in the company of people who treat her with kindness. It is clear they will not judge her for small errors or take advantage of her in the fashion of the Ton."

  "You say that even after Ramsgate?" Richard had asked in disbelief.

  "This situation is completely different. First, she is not alone in unknown company with only the guidance of a companion we did not properly investigate. She has me, and now you, to protect her, Mrs. Annesley to guide her, the older Bennet sisters as both friends and models of good behavior and she is going to be with people who know she is not yet officially out but would like her to join them all the same."

  Richard had shaken his head at the comments. "What happened to Darcy, the overprotective, controller of all?"

  Darcy had not even tried to hold back his laughter. "I told you, Richard. I had a dream and then I had a series of humbling experiences. They taught me t
hat Georgiana needs a chance to make her own errors while still having enough guidance and support that she cannot go too far wrong. If I try to control everything for her, she will rebel and do foolish things just to prove she is not under my control. I have spent too long following Aunt Catherine's model. Now is not the time for you to start."

  Richard had reluctantly agreed, but Darcy had known he was still nervous about allowing her out into the company of more than just the Bennet family. Even as Richard engaged in cheerful conversation with his hosts and their guests, he had one eye on Georgiana as she talked with Kitty and Miss Maria. The good behavior of all the girls and the kind way all the adults welcomed her, combined with Georgiana's obvious pleasure at the company finally eased Richard's mind.

  "You were correct to let her go this evening," he told Darcy after Georgiana happily bid them good night on their return to Netherfield. "The rules do seem to be a little different here."

  "It took me a while to figure that out as well. The friendships she is making now will stand her in good stead later, even if they do not bring her wealth or noble connections."

  Richard grinned as he bid his cousin good night. "Oh, Darcy. How you have changed," Darcy heard Richard say as he disappeared into his room.

  ~*~

  The entire Netherfield party headed to Longbourn shortly after noon on Friday to spend the afternoon in company with the Bennets and the Lucas sisters. The day was bright and sunny, if a little on the chilly side, and all three men enjoyed riding their horses just a bit in front of the carriage that contained Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley. The men were busy talking about some of the best estate matters to be handled at this time of year when they topped the last rise before reaching Longbourn house. It was Bingley who first noticed the substantial carriage parked in front of the door.

  "That is not the Lucas carriage or that of any of the neighbors that I know of. Who could be visiting the Bennets in vehicle of that quality?" he asked.

  Darcy and Richard examined the carriage for only a few seconds before both kicked their horses into a gallop.

  "I never thought she would come here!" Darcy said as he jumped from his horse after quickly coming to a stop at the door. He tossed his reins to the stable boy who ran out to get the horse, barely noticing Richard doing the same. Both men rushed in as soon as Mrs. Hill opened the door.

  Darcy headed straight for the sitting room without even greeting the housekeeper. He expected to hear his aunt's voice raised in anger, but when he entered the room, he did not find her there. Mrs. Bennet and Jane sat with Miss Lucas and Miss Maria. Instead of shouting, he could hear the pianoforte playing in the distance.

  "Where is Lady Catherine?" he demanded. "What has happened?"

  Mrs. Bennet answered in her most fussy manner. "Oh, Mr. Darcy. I must say your aunt is a most haughty person. We would have not even have known her name if Mrs. Hill had not announced her even as the lady pushed her way into the room. She refused to be introduced to any of us, only demanded to know which of us was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. When Lizzy rose and identified herself, Lady Catherine said she wished some private speech with her out in the garden."

  "Your aunt was quite intimidating," Miss Lucas added, "but Eliza merely smiled politely at her, telling her a private conversation would be most agreeable. She had that look in her eye that said she intended to have fun with the conversation."

  "Have they been out there long?" Darcy asked.

  "Not very long," Jane said. "Lizzy took her to the side garden."

  "Thank you," Darcy said. He gave a quick bow to the ladies and turned, almost bumping into Richard as he did so.

  Darcy and his cousin made their way out the side door to the garden. The side garden itself was empty. In the distance Darcy thought he heard his aunt's voice shouting. It sounded something like, "You must promise!"

  "That wilderness area," Richard suggested. "Might they be there?"

  "The hermitage, Elizabeth called it. Yes, that is likely."

  He and Richard made their way around the various bedding areas, covered or otherwise prepared for winter. As they neared the high wall surrounding the area given over to a scatter of trees around a paved path and old stone ruin, they hear Lady Catherine yet again.

  "Your alliance would be a disgrace! No one of any consequence would recognize you!"

  More softly, Darcy heard Elizabeth answer. "Then we shall be content to be recognized by those of no consequence at all. Yet I think your prophecy to be a false one."

  Darcy and Richard had reached the archway opening into the area by this point. Ahead of them on the walkway they could see the two women. Their aunt was practically foaming at the mouth in her frustration, but Elizabeth faced her calmly. The younger woman's only defensive posture was in maintaining a distance outside of the reach of Lady Catherine's walking stick, which the older woman was even then shaking menacingly in Elizabeth's direction.

  "Let me be rightly understood. This match to which you have the presumption to aspire shall never take place! He belongs to my daughter and I shall not be denied. You will comply with my wishes!"

  The last was shouted with extreme fury. Before Darcy and Richard could reach the spot, they saw their aunt raise her walking stick high and dash it forcefully against a paving stone on the walkway in front of her. With a resounding crack, the stick shattered. Bits of wood flew in all directions and the silvered tip hit the wall of the ruin with a second loud crack.

  Despite their worries over the confrontation, neither man could control his laughter when Lady Catherine released the heavy handle in surprise only to have it strike her foot as it fell. Elizabeth also began to laugh as Lady Catherine turned sharply at the sound of the men's laughter only to trip over the handle she had dropped. The enraged woman did not fall, but she did flail rather awkwardly to catch her balance.

  Darcy finally reached Elizabeth's side. He offered her his arm, so they could face Lady Catherine as a united couple.

  "That is enough, Aunt Catherine," he said firmly. "You have made a fool of yourself by coming here. You have no power over any of us and no right to stop this marriage."

  "You are betrothed to Anne!" she insisted, throwing off the hand Richard had offered to help steady her. Darcy's cousin stepped back quickly to be out of range of her fists.

  "I am neither by honor nor by inclination bound to my cousin. That is your fantasy and yours alone."

  "No! It was the favorite wish of your mother. You will marry her."

  "If it was my mother's favorite wish, why did she never make any mention of it to me?" He asked. "And whether she wished it or not, there is no legal document to bind us. I have no desire to marry Anne, nor does she desire to marry me. Give it up! This is where your bullying ends."

  Lady Catherine spluttered and fumed but could not give a coherent answer in her rage. Abruptly she turned and started to stomp away but tripped once again on the handle of her walking stick. This time, she did fall. Richard stepped forward to help her up and, by instinct, Darcy moved in her direction as if he would do the same. She once again slapped away Richard's helping hand, struggling back to a standing position on her own. Once upright, she kicked at the offending handle and it flew to hit the ruin just as the silvered tip had done, with another loud crack.

  Huffing in anger, she stomped through the arch shouting, "I take no leave of you! I shall prevail!"

  She continued off around the side of the house, clearly headed to her carriage by the quickest outdoor path. Richard began to laugh again as he watched her go.

  "That was a sight to be seen!" he said through his laughter. Darcy and Elizabeth began to laugh as well. Together they began to head back to the house, kicking aside bits of the walking stick as they moved along the path.

  "Are you well, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked as they neared the house and the laughter of all three was coming under control.

  "Oh, very well," she said merrily. "She merely blustered and blew like a thunderstorm. So long as you stay safe from the l
ightning, the thunder cannot harm you."

  "I had not expected her to come here," Darcy apologized.

  "I did," she said, grinning at him. "She knows my family only through the words of Mr. Collins. Since she knows I rejected his proposal, she was certain, with the new knowledge of our betrothal, to have assumed I did so because I knew I could snare a wealthier fish. Our discussion began just as I expected, with an offer to pay me off if I would release you from our betrothal. She expected me to jump at the chance to gain a hefty dowry and her assistance in finding a more appropriate match. My refusal to behave as she expected or to lose my temper as she became more offensive pushed her to her limits. I already knew from the Colonel to stay well clear of the walking stick, which is why I was glad she suggested we talk outside. She would have been far more dangerous in the sitting room. I led her towards the hermitage because it gave me more room to move freely if she became enraged enough to attack than in the garden, which is broken up by the various plots that are somewhat muddy and soggy."

  "You knew she would come here all the time?" Richard asked.

  "Everything you told me suggested she would do exactly as she did. She considered me the weakest link in this chain. Once she dealt with me, she would have gone to Netherfield to bully both of you, and Georgiana as well. She may be on her way there now."

  "Well, good luck to her," Richard said as he opened the side door for Elizabeth and his cousin. "For we are all here."

  They entered the sitting room to find someone unexpected sitting with the Bennet and Lucas ladies.

  "Ah! You survived the encounter," Anne exclaimed happily as she rose to greet her male cousins and Elizabeth. "We heard the carriage leave a few minutes ago. I wonder how long it will be before she realizes I am not with her? Mrs. Jenkinson promised not to volunteer a thing and if Mother follows her usual pattern, she will wrap herself tightly in her cloak and close her eyes as she rages and rails at being denied her wishes. She did that all the way to London yesterday and most of the way here today."