A long silence followed his words, each of them remembering the beautiful and passionate Anne who made everybody’s life around her joyful and meaningful.
“What are the religious or legal implications of such an act?” Archibald Wellford asked.
“The marriage of first cousins is not forbidden under regulations imposed by the church and it is common as a way of cementing family alliances,” Lord Matlock said. “So legally two cousins of first degree might marry; there is nothing to pursue here.”
“Although the parents could decide such an alliance,” Lord Matlock continued, “there is not a legal prescription that could force you to marry Anne under such an act. Your obligation is entirely moral − towards your mama in this case − for a commitment she took in your name.”
“What are you saying?” said Darcy as if awakening from a bad dream. “I have to marry Anne to be faithful to my mother’s memory?”
“Yes, it seems that it has already been the case in some other situations. The solicitor told us that a certain Duke was under such a commitment, but when he decided to break it, he had to make an arrangement with the lady’s family. I do not know what this arrangement was, but it seemed it was substantial.”
“So, I have to pay Lady Catherine to absolve me from such an agreement?” asked Darcy more and more confused.
“Unfortunately, in your case, Catherine does not want your money; she wants you to become her son in law!”
“I am more perplexed than fearful, but why does she want me and not the Colonel?”
Everybody laughed and the atmosphere slightly changed.
“We can laugh and it is good you have not lost your sense of humour,” Lord Matlock said. “But the situation is rather critical; the solicitor told me that she could make your life a real hell if you do not agree.”
“I will never agree!” Darcy said with much determination. “My mother never lost her mind; she died being conscious and coherent till the last minute of her life… I am sure it is fake. It is not the first time Lady Catherine has been unfair or even dishonest. Remember how she treated her mother in law when Lord de Bourgh died; she almost had her thrown onto the street, forcing the old lady to quit her home and live in a stranger’s house.”
“Yes, we know her character and this is exactly what concerns me. She is not used to losing; she prepared this coup with much care, you can be sure about this.” Lord Matlock replied with a sad countenance.
“What papa is saying, dear cousin,” pointed out the Colonel, “is that she is a dangerous enemy as she has no remorse. Most probably, you will have to face a sort of emotional plea − to fulfil her dead’s sister last will. It is not an attack in plain sight but subversively; she does not want to ruin her relationship with you but believes the gentleman you are will say yes. A subtle way to pressure you with your mother’s memory and the social consequences if you do not agree!”
“I do not care, uncle!” Darcy said. He was standing near the Colonel, and in the light of the candles, one might think they were brothers. Looking at them, Lord Matlock felt pride. From his parents’ death, he had been like a father to Darcy and he could not accept someone mingling in his life and ruining it. If he decided not to marry Anne, his reputation would be badly shaken, as not fulfilling a betrothal agreement was a severe fault in society’s eyes.
“Sit,” he said in an authoritarian voice, “you two annoy me with your habit of standing in the middle of such an important discussion!”
The Colonel and Darcy both laughed. They had been adults for some time now, and yet Lord Matlock still saw them like two children. But it was such a pleasant sensation to still have an elder looking after you with the same care as when you were a child. They sat on a sofa just in front of Lord Matlock.
“Anyway, we have two months to think about the problem. Mr Howell has to verify the document’s authenticity and only then it can be presented as a directive from her testament. That verification could take as much time as is needed. Mr Howell gave Catherine a term, but that term can be prolonged. He had to inform me, but I am under no obligation to inform you until its authenticity is established.”
All three young man smiled, admiring Lord Matlock’s cunning. Practically speaking, he had gained for Darcy a term to try to find a way to fight back.
“Dear boy, you will make your own decision, but Mr Howell suggested a peculiar solution whereby Catherine would be with no power…”
Darcy looked at his uncle with interest and confidence.
“If you marry before seeing this declaration, Lady Catherine would be left with few or no manoeuvres !”
A deep silence took the room. They all looked at Darcy who was faintly blushing; they thought it was because of the tension but in fact, he was thinking of the coincidence that took place. His discussion with Georgiana seemed now an exciting prelude to his uncle’s suggestion.
“But uncle, I do not intend to marry just to escape Lady Catherine. It is, in the end, the same if I marry Anne or if I marry in haste a woman I choose only for this reason!”
“He is right, father!” Archibald said.
“Wait, Archie, papa could have a point here!” the Colonel said. “Maybe our cousin has someone in his mind; a worthy lady he likes or loves and who would agree to marry him in a shorter time than usual!”
The inquisitive look from Darcy’s eyes seemed to penetrate deep into his cousin’s mind and soul. It appeared the Colonel had some suspicions regarding a certain lady… Darcy could not but ask himself what betrayed him. But in the end, he had lived all his life near his cousins. The Colonel had always been like a brother and sometimes no words were needed between them.
“Does this lady really exist?” his uncle asked in an ironic yet benevolent tone.
Darcy hesitated to speak. He disliked unveiling his sentiments. Moreover, he did not know if the lady he liked would accept his proposal. He had only Georgiana’s word and observation, although he still regarded her as a little girl making her first steps in the adult world.
He needed time to think, to plan. His uncle said he had some time but not as much he might need to court and then marry.
“Well, boy?” Lord Matlock was impatient; he did not like being late for his dinner.
“I might have a certain lady in mind,” Darcy spoke, somewhat reluctantly, “but I cannot reveal her name as I am not sure she will accept my proposal!”
Lord Matlock stood up as he considered the discussion closed. “I hope she is a worthy lady. I rely on your decision to choose someone of our rank and status and… do not forget we are here to support you, but now let us eat!”
∞∞∞
Just after dinner, the Colonel invited Darcy to have a brandy in his apartment; they sat on the terrace facing the mansion’s park, drinking in silence. There had always been a special bond between them that sometimes made it possible to discuss ardent problems. Darcy intended to talk freely to the Colonel about Elizabeth, yet her brutal refusal had been such a wound that made the subject almost prohibited. What could he confess, that the woman he loved had the worst possible impression of him? However, it seemed the Colonel had observed in the past his preference for Elizabeth.
“I do not want to impose on you to confess!” the Colonel said. “Yet if you still have the same sentiments for a certain lady, I can assure you that your sentiments are very close to being shared!”
Darcy tried not to look at his cousin; he was sure that his eyes would betray his secrets, as they were full of hope.
“How could you possibly know so many things about this subject?” Darcy was eager to find out.
The Colonel laughed and in the still of the night, his open laughter travelled onto the lawn scaring some night birds which flew in a hurry as though on one huge wing.
“I observe and conclude and, most of the time, I am listening to what the ladies are discussing; it is interesting to understand not what they are saying but what they are implying…”
Darcy decided to go alo
ng and tell the Colonel the truth, for it may prove useful for the help he might need in the future.
“I proposed to Elizabeth and she did not accept…” he said and then added in haste, “by my own fault, my proposal was a series of injuries and not a declaration of love!”
It was such a difficult thing to discuss that matter openly that Darcy stopped, almost tired as after a considerable effort. The Colonel understood and decided to let Darcy confess only the issues he found acceptable. Yet, he would have wanted to tell his cousin that he had indeed guessed many of the circumstances. In Elizabeth’s presence Darcy was another man, a good sign he was in love. When suddenly, some months ago, he became so morose and sad that the Colonel was certain only unrequited love could produce such a state in a man who had no other problems.
As Darcy continued to be silent the Colonel decided to speak, “My dear cousin, no matter what happened between you two in the past, when we met at the theatre that gracious lady had only regrets in her eyes when she looked at you!”
“How could you discern such a delicate matter?” whispered Darcy, trying to hide his eyes in the blackness of the night.
“Have confidence in me; please, just go and make your proposal again. You have nothing to lose and, as my father said if she says yes, it would be a splendid chance to thwart our aunt’s evil plans. Give it a try, have confidence in a man who enjoys observing human nature! Yet I have to alert you that even if papa were for a marriage, he would not easily approve a marriage outside our society. My opinion is to keep the secret as long as it takes.”
∞∞∞
He headed for his home late in the night. Usually, he was not alarmed to ride the streets immersed in the darkness but the sky prepared for rain, there was distant thunder and flashes of lightning and inside him, the feeling was almost the same. He had not taken his aunt’s plan very seriously. First of all, he considered the paper to be a fake, but even if it was genuine, it could not influence his decision. He loved his mother, but then he could not destroy his life because of a wish made fourteen years ago. However, as he approached his house, he began to see all the conjuncture in a very different light. His uncle was right! Lady Catherine and her plot could ruin his reputation and jeopardise his place in society. He would be considered as a man with no honour and the worst possible son.
∞∞∞
The next morning the Vicar from the church next to his house listened to the entire story but shook his head when Darcy asked if he could ignore the will.
“Mr Darcy,” he said reluctantly, “I will not advise you to ignore the will.”
“But Reverend, I cannot marry a lady when I am in love with another!” In the Vicar’s study, it was so easy to say that he was in love with another woman.
“Then sir, go and confess the truth to your aunt and then marry the lady you love, without delay. That will prove your earnestness regarding marriage and your commitment to the lady you love.”
The Vicar was right; Anne must agree not to marry him, absolving him of any guilt or blame.
Instead of being worried or sad, he was angry. He wanted to go to Lady Catherine and tell her he refused to play in the tasteless plot she was concocting, but it was better his aunt not know he had discovered her malevolence. His first thought was to depart for Pemberley where the Vicar was his friend. But first, determined to seek help and clarification in all possible places, he would see a solicitor other than Mr Howell early in the morning.
In the end, Lady Catherine had managed to chase away his peace of mind. He had the feeling no matter which solution he chose, it would not entirely be his decision. He still wanted to marry Elizabeth, but it meant marrying in haste and telling her the truth that he loved her but also that he needed her. Not exactly his style of solving such a difficult problem.
“Start the preparations, Georgiana, we are going back to Pemberley.”
Chapter 6
In the fever of preparing for the journey to the North, only one event – a happy one – troubled the peace in Gracechurch Street. Jane sent them a letter – by express – informing them they were well and healthy and that Netherfield was opening again but they had no news about Mr Bingley himself.
Elizabeth used the same way to answer, happy to inform her sister that she had seen Mr Bingley in person and that Jane should expect a call from him… very soon.
Otherwise, the time passed with luggage being packed and repacked, excitement and preparations. Although she did not confess it openly, Elizabeth felt even more thrilled than her aunt by the prospect of visiting Derbyshire. Suddenly, the Lakes had lost all their charm for her.
Mr Bingley’s short visit proved to Elizabeth that he had not forgotten Jane; the gentleman’s haste in returning to Netherfield showed very clearly that his feelings and intentions had not changed. Even more, it was beyond doubt that this time he had Darcy’s support and blessing. The notion that he had just learned of Jane’s presence in Town washed away many of his faults and redeemed him as being worthy of Jane’s affection. The hopes for a happy marriage for the eldest Miss Bennet were all renewed and strengthened.
Since all the worries about her sister had been dissipated, Elizabeth’s thoughts were dedicated to her past and future encounters with Darcy. But she also had to guard herself against her aunt’s inquiring scrutiny; Mr and Mrs Gardiner already had addressed several questions and hints about Mr Darcy’s particular attention to her.
They were decent and well-educated people who did not force her confidence, but it was beyond doubt that her behaviour – and his – could not be ignored.
To the Gardiners, it was rather clear that their niece and Mr Darcy were more than mere acquaintances, but the nature of their relationship was difficult to guess. Mr Darcy’s admiration for her was apparent and, considering the gentleman’s splendid situation in life and his liberty to choose among the most beautiful young ladies of the Ton, that was astonishing and unexpected. As for Elizabeth’s feelings, they were less clear. They had learned of Elizabeth’s dislike for Mr Darcy due to his offensive manners, but the attitude they observed between the two was, by no means, dislike, nor was the gentleman’s behaviour flawed in the slightest.
Mr Gardiner teased his wife about the Fitzwilliam men’s inclination toward ladies in his family and Mrs Gardiner was equally amused and annoyed by her husband’s mockery.
Regarding her niece, she postponed her assessment for the future, when they would be in one another’s company again and often. The journey to Derbyshire was very quickly approaching.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth spent more than a fortnight on the road to Derbyshire, visiting all the beauties along their route. Her spirit rose with each passing day, her heart – filled with joy and wonder – turned lighter. Since she abandoned any struggle and admitted to herself the desire to see Darcy again, she looked forward to it.
Her thoughts were often drawn to the gentleman, turning her nights sleepless and her days restless. The feeling that enveloped her was overwhelming, strange, delicious, yet slightly painful. She had never felt it before, and she feared it. Was it love? And if it was, did it come too late? Surely, she could not be so irrational as to hope Darcy would ever renew his proposal. Or that he had any tender feelings to induce him to such a gesture. Yes, he had been more than friendly to her and her relatives. Warm and generous. But it could be only a gesture of consideration for Mrs Gardiner – who had known his parents. Or for the family of the woman his friend Bingley loved and admired. It would be too much to assume he was doing anything for her sake. She could not allow herself to fall for such unreasonable expectations.
And still, she thought of little else but him.
Eventually, the day when their carriage entered Lambton arrived and excitement made Elizabeth oblivious to the memories shared by her Aunt Gardiner.
After settling in their rooms at the Inn and unloading the luggage, they had all the time in the world to think about the visits they had to pay and the people they wanted
to meet.
Darcy had invited them to Pemberley if they happened to be in the neighbourhood, but no more details had been established. While having a brief meal, Mr Gardiner suggested they should rest and send a note to Pemberley to announce their arrival. This would allow Mr Darcy the liberty of doing as he pleased. Perhaps he even forgot his invitation, or perhaps he had other guests or other business that better employed his time.
“Do you know if the family of Pemberley is at home?” Mrs Gardiner asked the maid who served their meal.
“Yes, ma’am. My brother works at the stables there. They arrived a few days ago, with a party of friends, I was told.”
“Thank you,” Mrs Gardiner smiled, while Elizabeth felt chills down her spine. Party of friends? Who could it be? She expected only Mr Darcy and his sister to be there – as he stated in London.
“Well, sending the note is the proper way,” Mr Gardiner concluded. “But we must rest first; as lovely as the journey has been, I need some steady ground under my feet.”
As soon as their appetites were satisfied, they separated. Her chamber was small, clean and welcoming, but resting was not what Elizabeth needed nor wished for.
She cleaned herself, changed to a robe, then opened the window – it was a warm late afternoon and the streets of the small village were animated. She considered taking a walk by herself but resisted the impulse. She should wait for her aunt to show her around, as Mrs Gardiner expressed her intentions several times.
Elizabeth lay on the bed briefly, trying to calm herself, but she met no success. She rose and wrote to Jane, informing her they had arrived in Derbyshire safely.
She then changed her gown again – for no apparent reason – brushed her hair – but the time passed slowly. They had already been in Lambton since noon and it was almost dinner time. She grew eager, not knowing why.
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