“Sir, may I ask what is so funny?” Inquired Darcy of his uncle
“My stuffy sister. She always thinks meanly of others, who are of a lower rank than herself. She has always treated such people with contempt. She will now be related to her parson. Her daughter who she wanted to marry you has been secretly married for months. It’s hilarious!” laughed Lord Matlock. Elizabeth and Darcy immediately caught onto the joke. They had not thought about before, it made perfect sense given her behaviour two months ago. Just before Darcy and Elizabeth had gotten engaged. It now seemed highly ironic. Fitzwilliam had little to no fortune of his own, being the younger son of Lord Matlock.
“I’m afraid sir, until recently I was much too much like my aunt for my own good,” Admitted Darcy as the laughter subsided.
“Ah, but you saw the error of your ways, I can see that,” answered Lord Matlock.
“Only due to this beautiful woman to whom I am engaged, sir.”
“Well then, I must say a big thank you to this beautiful young lady.” Said Lord Matlock. As the dancing was about to start up again Lord Matlock asked Elizabeth for the next two dances. During those two dances he asked Elizabeth many questions. So detailed was his interrogation that she felt like she was under a microscope.
While Elizabeth was dancing with the earl, Darcy was cornered by his aunt. She was quizzing him on his relationship with Miss Elizabeth. I suppose mother and Father would have been doing this were they alive. Oh, how I wish that they were alive today. At the end of the two dances Lord Matlock seemed to be happy with the answers she had given. Darcy's aunt also seemed pleased. The rest of the evening passed off pleasantly enough. Soon the ball closed, and they were heading back to Longbourn for the night. Just before they all went their separate ways Darcy whispered to Anne and Fitzwilliam. “I want a full account of how and when you two were married! You’ve both been very underhand”
“You’ll have it tomorrow, Darce” Fitzwilliam replied.
Upon their return to Longbourn, Darcy was surprised to see that Mr and Mrs Bennet had waited up for them. “Well, Mr Darcy, did you have a good night?” Mr Bennet asked as they entered the drawing room.
“Yes, thank you, sir, my uncle Lord Matlock has arrived and his whole family attended the ball. It seems that my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam and my cousin Anne, were secretly married. I believe they are planning to stay until the wedding. I’ll visit them tomorrow, and may I invite them to dinner here tomorrow night?” Darcy asked.
“Of course you may, consider this your home while you are with us” Replied Mr Bennet.
“Pray, Mr Darcy, could you tell me what I should order for dinner tomorrow?” Mrs Bennet asked reverting to formality. She was overwhelmed at the prospect of entertaining a member of the peerage.
“Thank you, Ma’am, but just a normal family dinner will be fine,” replied Fitzwilliam. He was already dreading his uncle meeting his future mother-in-law. He knew that it could not be avoided, and started planning to bring in a few other guests.
“So, tell us about the ball” said Mrs. Bennet. She would have asked about the muslins, and headdresses and lace, but her husband stopped her. Catherine and Georgiana were more than ready to supply all the details of the finery. They also described who danced which dances and who they danced with. Mr Bennet soon rose and left the room; Darcy also tired of such a discussion very quickly. He excused himself to go to his room. Discussions of waistlines, lace, etc. bored him. He understood them. The milliners in Bond street had displayed their dolls prominently. He had also commissioned Georgiana’s dress which should be ready by next week. Understanding and interest are two very different things, and Darcy lacked any interest.
Upon going upstairs, Darcy found himself far from being ready to sleep. He was also totally unable to deal with the business that had arrived from Pemberley. So he stretched himself out on his bed. Closing his eyes he savoured the memory of Elizabeth that evening. How beautiful she had looked in that delicate white muslin dress with a diamond necklace. Her headdress that evening had been exquisite. It was made of two tortoiseshell combs fastened to a red ribbon. There were several white roses all going straight across the top of her head. A smile spread over his lips as he remembered how she had been admired by all in Lambton. He wished that he had been a more effusive man. He longed to tell her how beautiful she had looked, yet such compliments never came easily to him.
His reverie was soon interrupted by a knock on the door, and not feeling like moving he called “Come in”
“I came up to say goodnight. Georgiana has already gone to bed and my mother and Kitty will continue talking about the ball for a while yet.” Elizabeth said, slipping into his room shyly.
Darcy shifted on the bed and motioned for Elizabeth to come and sit next to him. She did so after closing the door behind her. Darcy took her hands in his and pulled her down to give her a kiss, which she responded to warmly. Something inside him knotted now as she pulled away slightly. He saw reflected in her own eyes, the same longing and desire that, at that moment, was coursing through his veins. He knew that he should show her to the door now and yet he felt like he could not move. He was so transfixed by that look in Elizabeth’s fine dark eyes. It was that saucy teasing look that had so beguiled him long ago. Now it was tinged with longing. He felt absolutely powerless to do anything but drown in her eyes. and without knowing what he was doing he reached up and removed the combs and pins that held her dark hair in place. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders and framed her face. Her eyes shone all the more brightly. He felt every nerve in his body respond as she gently traced the line of his face and his chin. He was powerless against the exquisite emotions that were running through them both. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her and whispered hoarsely “ Mrs Darcy” in her ear.
She laughed and leaned into his arms. He pulled her down and as she lay in his arms, he knew that he never wanted to let her go. A soft knock interrupted this pleasant reverie. Quickly Darcy grabbed her hairpins and combs and placed them in a draw of his dressing table. He knowing that whoever it was should not see them on his bedside table, where they had been placed. They sat sedately on the ottoman at the foot of the bed and he called “Come in.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, may I come in?” Asked Georgiana softly when she saw Elizabeth and Darcy together.
“Yes, of course, you can,” replied Elizabeth,
“I wanted to ask you both some advice,” She said quietly
“Go ahead” Said Fitzwilliam
“Well, I know I can refuse to dance with a gentleman if I do not wish to dance that set of dances. What if I wish to dance that round, but do not wish to do so with him? The reason being that he cannot dance well or I really cannot like him, or he puts his hands where they should not go?” Asked Georgiana
“Well, propriety says that if you refuse to dance with him then you cannot dance with anyone else. For the rest of the night. However, if the man is truly repulsive,” here Darcy noticed a shiver go through Elizabeth. “I would refuse him. There is only time when this does not apply. It is when that set has already been reserved, before that gentleman's request.” Replied Elizabeth
“Oh dear,” Said Georgiana
“Georgiana, has someone done something they shouldn’t?” Asked Fitzwilliam
“I don’t want to upset you”
Fitzwilliam pulled Georgiana down onto the ottoman with him and Elizabeth. “Come, you know that I won’t be upset with you.”
“Well, there was one gentleman tonight. I danced with him once and every time we were in a corner he moved his hands very quickly and so very unpleasantly. I refused him the second time he asked and sat out that dance, but I never want to dance with him again,” Said Georgiana. Elizabeth recognised what was being done. She mentioned a gentleman’s name. Georgiana could not say for definite it was him she but she thought it was him.
“I’m sorry, Georgiana. I should have warned you not to dance with him, for he is an unpleasant man. Jan
e and I have our fair share of his ‘attention’ on the dance floor.” Elizabeth looked concerned.
Darcy hugged both Georgiana and Elizabeth. “It is nobody’s fault, I’m not angry and you acted very wisely in not dancing with him again and sitting out for that dance.” He realised that he should have been angry at the man for what he did. Having his two favourite women sitting next to him he found that he could not be angry even if he wanted to. He had succumbed to all the charms of a beautiful woman. He knew that his sister was equally as beautiful as Elizabeth. At that moment in time, nothing mattered to Darcy but being right where he was.
Georgiana left soon afterwards.
"Grief never ends, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness nor a lack of faith: it is the price of love."
Elizabeth I
Almost immediately that Georgiana was gone, Darcy nuzzled into Elizabeth’s neck. Finally, my little sister has gone to her room. She’s seen too much already. Hmm, Elizabeth you are here where you should be, oh that you wouldn’t return to your room tonight. “Now, Mrs Darcy, where were we?”
Elizabeth looked impertinently at Darcy. “You were about to kiss me before Georgiana interrupted us”
The twinkle in Elizabeth's eyes left Darcy in no doubt that she was hinting at more than a kiss. This was too much for him. He stood up and swept Elizabeth up into his arms and moved them both swiftly to the bed. He placed her on the bed and then lay down beside her, and leaned in to kiss her. He started off with very gentle kisses, but it didn’t take long before their kisses deepened. Darcy pulled back and halfheartedly whispered “You should leave.” Elizabeth’s response shattered all rational thought from both of them.
“Yes, I should, but I cannot. I love you, Fitzwilliam.” This was the last answer that Darcy had expected and inflamed both of their passions to new heights. Both knew that this was a defining moment. The three weeks that remained until their wedding seemed too long. Without rational thought, they moved together. Tugging at each other’s clothes and touching, caressing everywhere they could reach. Despite the temptation to rip Elizabeth’s dress, Darcy knew that it would expose them. He struggled and won the fight against the small buttons at the back of Elizabeth’s dress.
Elizabeth didn’t leave his room at all that night, and both fell into a very deep slumber after their activities. “Elizabeth” Darcy mumbled as he awoke. He had dreamed so often of waking like this with Elizabeth by his side. He was reluctant to open his eyes and find that once again this woman in his arms was only his imagination. Elizabeth was not having any of it. She rolled over and nuzzled into his chest.
“Yes, love. I’m here.” She murmured into his chest. Slowly his eyes opened. Mmmm so last night was not a dream. It actually happened. I cannot feel guilty for it, though I should. Darcy’s arms tightened around Elizabeth as they started their day together. Our wedding is still too far away. I wish to wake with Elizabeth like this every morning. They shared a lingering kiss. The temptation to repeat the activities of the night before strong in both their minds. A gentle scratch at the door and a note slipped underneath broke their world. Jane had woken early and was bemused that she could not find Elizabeth. Georgiana had provided the missing link where Jane would find Elizabeth. Jane knew that if Elizabeth was in Darcy’s room, requesting entry would embarrass all. Jane discretely penned a note and then slipped it beneath Darcy’s door. Elizabeth slipped from the bed to pick up the note. She hurried back to the warmth and to an extra cuddle or two before she had to slip out of Darcy’s room without being seen. Darcy languidly looked over Elizabeth’s shoulder as she opened Jane’s note:
Lizzy, don’t forget that we are all due at the Lucas’ for tea this afternoon.
Seeing the simple note, Darcy almost choked on his laughter. Jane had such an elegant way of warning them that her presence had been noted. Yet if the note was seen by anyone it would only say an appointment had been made at the ball last night. As one they both moved to exit the bed at the same time. Elizabeth hurriedly threw on her last night’s clothes to be able to slip back to her own and room. Darcy gazed in wonder at the woman that in his mind only lacked the formal declaration as his wife. They shared one more deep kiss before she slipped from his room. “I’ll see you at breakfast, my dear” Darcy whispered as she slipped from his rooms.
Ah, my sweet wonderful Elizabeth. She is mine in all but name. Darcy could not keep the smile from his face. That made his valet shake his head in wonder how he managed to shave himself that morning. Twenty minutes after the Elizabeth had left his room, Darcy made his way down to breakfast. Elizabeth was waiting with a sly smile on her face. Darcy could not help but give her a quick kiss. He then proceeded to the sideboard to collect his breakfast.
“I hope you both slept well last night?” Mr Bennet said as he entered the dining room, in time to witness the intimate moment.
“Y Yes sir” Darcy answered. Damn, where did that slip in again? I conquered my stammer long ago! Deep breath man! “Very well”
“Thank you, yes Papa,” Elizabeth said, blushing.
Mr Bennet’s smirk at the couple told them that he was a not unaware of what had gone on the previous night. Oh God! Does the whole house know what Elizabeth and I did last night? Why can they not allow us to be ignorant of their knowledge? Darcy wasn’t sure quite what tipped Mr Bennet off to his thoughts. He was pulled out of them by a friendly slap on the shoulder from the older gentleman. “Relax Darcy, I’m not going to reprimand either of you. Should you not show at the altar in three weeks’ time, I will revisit my words.” Darcy could not help a grudging admiration for Elizabeth’s father. He had thrown down the gauntlet on Darcy’s honour. Darcy would not take the bait and nodded his head. “Oh, and one more thing. Both of you need to be a little more discreet! My room is next to yours, Darcy.” Darcy blushed as he realised what Mr Bennet had said. Memories of more than one exclamation coming from them last night flooded his mind. Hmmm thank you, I hadn’t realised we were so loud last night. You try and stop me from being at the altar! Elizabeth is mine! Mine! Mine! I love her more than life itself. Only death would stop me from being there!
After breakfast, the whole party made their way to the Longbourn church. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth attended to the sermon. They spent the time sneaking admiring looks at each other. They were counting down the days until they would stand at the front of the church and make their vows to each other. The sermon seemed to drag. The Vicar could not have been speaking for more than twenty minutes but it seemed an eternity to the couple. Eventually, the service ended. Darcy, Georgiana and Elizabeth chose to walk to Meryton. They would visit with his uncle before the afternoon engagement with the Lucas’.
When they arrived at the inn, they found that only Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne were present. Upon entering the inn, Darcy embraced his cousin. The ladies of the party all exchanged the customary curtsies. “So Fitzwilliam, tell me everything! When did you two become engaged and when did you marry?” Darcy was itching with curiosity. Fitzwilliam had always been eager to visit Anne. Darcy had not noticed that they were anything more than cousins.
“We became engaged at Easter two years ago. We could not marry until Anne had reached her majority and had come into her inheritance. We wished to have Lady Catherine approve of our match. That would never be while she held hope of you marrying Anne”
Anne took over the narrative from her husband. “The wait was killing us. We had devised years before a way to get letters to each other without mother’s eyes reading every word. Then two years ago, Richard declared his love. He hadn’t intended to, but it poured out of him one morning while you were riding the estate to see what needed doing. Richard had been almost permanently drunk that visit and I was determined to find out why. When he finally admitted that he was jealous that Mother was so desperate to marry me off to you, I took action. I had long admired Richard and so when we finally declared our love for each other, I couldn’t have been happier. For tw
o years the only thing we had were the letters we shared. Then you came to Rosings this year completely besotted with Elizabeth. Richard and I saw our chance. We knew how mother would react to your engagement. Our hasty, secret wedding, when it came out, would be a relief.”
Fitzwilliam took back the narrative. “Everything went according to plan. Collins married us, by special licence, one morning. You and Miss Elizabeth were meeting for one of your walks in the park. None of us expected Miss Elizabeth to refuse your hand the first time, nor did we expect your illness. Anne and I decided not to announce our marriage until after you were engaged. That took longer than we thought that it would. Mother and Father were the first ones we took into our confidence. The circle widened to include others who knew. I had forgotten that you didn’t know, couldn’t know being so ill as you were.”
Elizabeth looked upset. It took Darcy a few moments to realise why. Anne had mentioned it in front of Elizabeth at the Lambton ball, but he still had not explained his illness.
Darcy squeezed her hands lovingly and whispered in her ear “in a moment, I promise.” Then louder, he turned to Fitzwilliam with a large grin. “Aunt Catherine came to Longbourn to try to force Elizabeth to promise not to get engaged to me. Yet all the while her precious daughter was no longer able to marry me. This is sounding more and more like a Shakespearean comedy.” Elizabeth and Georgiana shook their heads.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy! I cannot go another minute without your explaining to me about this famous illness. Twice now I’ve heard mention of it, yet I still have not had anything from your lips about it.” Elizabeth indignantly cut in. The more she heard about him being ill, the more she worried about what she had heard.
Darcy leaned over and kissed her soundly. Fitzwilliam and Anne coughed to remind them they were not alone. Georgiana blushed and looked away. Blushing and breaking the kiss Darcy began his explanation. “My love, I had been feeling some slight indications of a fever the day before and the same day I proposed in Hunsford. I had not thought it very serious. I was worried about you getting sick when you stayed away from Rosings that day.” Darcy glared at Fitzwilliam, “Now we know why you had a headache. It was so far away from why I had been suffering. Anyway, the shock of your refusal combined with my already getting sick, I got worse and worse. I had no strength or will to fight. Only fear of being trapped at Rosings kept me going. By the time we reached London, I had to be carried into the house.”
1812 How It All Began- Part 2 Page 26