by Elaine Owen
“I agree, and I thank you for reminding me of it. It would not do to insult my family, even family members with whom we are on intimate terms.” He paused and smiled briefly at her. “If this was our first disagreement as a married couple, I am glad it was so easy to resolve. No doubt it will not be our last.” Elizabeth heartily agreed with him on that point, though she said nothing aloud.
“Are you ready to go to bed?” he asked then, and Elizabeth nodded. She moved to what she assumed to be her side of the bed, shedding her housecoat as she went. She was wearing her customary white nightdress underneath, one that fit closely and made her feel attractive, although it was not the one she had worn on her wedding night. Darcy stood to shake off his housecoat before joining her. He was wearing nothing more than a loose-fitting overshirt, but even in such a plain garment, she had to admit that he was still one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
Both climbed into the bed and settled themselves in among the sheets and blankets. Darcy turned to blow out the lamp that stood on the table next to him, and as the room sank into darkness Elizabeth felt him move closer and reach out for her. He took her face in his hands, kissing her gently. “I am greatly fatigued and feel in need of rest. Good night, Elizabeth.” He pulled away again.
“Good night,” she answered automatically, but her mouth dropped open. Had he really summoned her to his bed simply to tell her that her dinner party would take place as planned? Did he think to take revenge on her for her fault of being in the right by refusing to carry out his husbandly duties? If so, it would be a petty form of vengeance indeed.
Darcy turned over, his back to her. After a few moments, she heard his steady breathing.
Elizabeth remained wide awake, staring up at the dark ceiling, trying to decide what to do next. If married relations were not to take place that night, she might as well return to her own room. She would sleep more easily away from this proud, condescending man. But did she dare to leave? What if he awoke, having changed his mind, and became angry that she was not immediately available to him?
She would take the chance. Anything was better than lying awake next to him, wondering what was to come next. She carefully turned back the covers and started to swing her legs out, but Darcy roused at once.
“Where are you going, Elizabeth?”
“Back to my own room.”
“Why?”
“As you said, you are fatigued.”
“Come,” he commanded. “I would have you stay, if you would.”
Elizabeth lay back down reluctantly. If Darcy wanted her to stay, then she would have to obey, but she moved as far away as possible, settling down on the far side of the bed. It was too late. Her husband reached out for her again, pulling her close against his body, wrapping his arms around her. She remained awake for some time, but eventually, lulled by his warmth and the feeling of security it brought, she fell asleep.
CHAPTER SIX
What a strikingly peculiar man, she thought the next morning as she ate breakfast with her husband and then began to prepare for the activities of the day, which would culminate in the dinner with the earl and countess that night. As was his custom, Darcy said little at the table beyond telling her his schedule for the day. He kissed her on the cheek and then left the dining room, allowing her time to ponder his strange behavior.
She had never met with such an odd mixture of distant coolness and determined courtesy in one person. Pride he certainly had, in abundance, as shown by his determination to avoid gossip and his disapproval of her wardrobe. His condescension knew no bounds. Elizabeth could scarcely believe the easy way with which he made free with her schedule and activities, and how he did so without even asking her opinion of his choices. But then his solicitude had demonstrated itself as well, by asking after her well-being and admitting his error in the matter of the dinner party. His conversation about his parents’ deaths had proven that he had a more vulnerable side than she would have guessed.
His most perplexing act so far had been in summoning her to his bed the night before and then not availing himself of his rights as a husband. He had been content, seemingly, to hold her close but nothing more. The experience left her bewildered.
She remembered her uncle’s words of warning about Darcy’s expectations from her. If Darcy had a mistress, Elizabeth had seen no evidence of her to date, so early in their marriage. Who could the woman be?
Considering Darcy’s pride, Elizabeth felt certain she would be someone who was well off and highly educated, able to dress with style and hold a witty conversation with ease. Of course, she would be sophisticated to have such a worldly understanding with Fitzwilliam—probably a member of the Ton. She must be relatively free to make her own choices in life. Perhaps she was a widow, or, worse yet, someone else’s wife, under a similar arrangement with her own husband. Perhaps she was out of town just then, or beyond Darcy’s reach in some way, and so he was making do with Elizabeth in her stead. But that would be absurd—she and Darcy were newlyweds, and without doubt he wanted an heir as soon as possible. It was not surprising that he was choosing to spend so much time with her.
Darcy had looked at her at breakfast several times this morning with a faintly puzzled expression, though he had said nothing of whatever was on his mind. She needed to remember that, regardless of any other relationships he might have, she and her husband were still strangers thrust into a marriage together, and they must somehow find a way to make the arrangement work. Perhaps he found her as confusing as she found him.
She was practicing a piece of music on the pianoforte that afternoon, preparing to perform it that evening if requested, when she heard a loud banging on the front door of the house. A delivery would be made to the kitchen door, just below street level, or else to the back door altogether. No one Elizabeth knew would rap on the front door in such an insistent way. Curious, she moved to the nearest window and peered out onto the street. The carriage outside was turned in such a way that she could not see if there were any markings on its side, but the footman standing at rigid attention beside the open carriage door wore livery that looked oddly familiar. While Elizabeth stood trying to remember where she had seen such a uniform before, the front door opened and the visitor’s voice assailed her ears.
“I insist upon seeing my nephew at once! Darcy, where are you? Somebody show me to him immediately!”
Elizabeth sighed heavily, recognizing Lady Catherine’s strident tone immediately. This would not be a polite social call. Lady Catherine could not be happy to hear that Darcy was no longer available to marry her own daughter, Anne.
The butler standing in the entryway shifted uncomfortably but did not move. He glanced sidelong at Elizabeth, his expression neutral, but still managing to communicate extreme discomfort with their visitor. Perhaps she was a frequent guest in her nephew’s home. Elizabeth approached quietly, her steps unnoticed by her ladyship until Elizabeth was almost at her side, and curtsied briefly. “Lady Catherine, perhaps I may be of assistance.”
“You!” cried Lady Catherine, turning her head and seeing her for the first time. “How do you dare to show me your face, Miss Bennet?”
“Perhaps you have not heard of my recent marriage. I am not Miss Bennet. I am Mrs. Darcy, your ladyship,” Elizabeth replied with as much dignity as she could muster.
“That is exactly why I am here! Colonel Fitzwilliam told me of my nephew’s marriage, but I refuse to believe it. This must be a scandalous falsehood! I insist on seeing Darcy myself.”
“I am afraid you will be disappointed,” Elizabeth answered coolly. “He is out.”
“Is he out, or is he afraid to see me?” Lady Catherine answered, looking at her through narrowed eyes.
“Mr. Darcy has no reason to avoid you. If your ladyship had sent us word of your visit, I am sure he would have made every effort to be here to receive you,” Elizabeth said, raising her chin proudly. This was her husband’s aunt, and although her manners had often been objectionable to Eli
zabeth, she knew Darcy would not appreciate angry words spoken to his mother’s sister.
“You are mistaken, Miss Bennet. He would have fled in fear if he knew how much he has angered me. Indeed, he probably has received word of my anger and chosen to flee rather than face me himself! To ally himself with such a disgraceful family, he must have been quite out of his mind. What did you do to make him take leave of his senses in such a way?”
Elizabeth felt her anger rising, but she took a deep breath before answering. “If you wish to speak with me, Lady Catherine, I will insist upon being addressed by my proper title. Mr. Darcy and I married just over a fortnight ago. My title now is Mrs. Darcy. I will not answer to any other name. May I offer you the opportunity to sit and wait for your nephew?”
Lady Catherine took a moment to survey Elizabeth, her eyes sweeping over her from head to foot. “Upon my word, you speak your mind quite freely, for one of your age and status.”
“This is, I think, a trait of mine with which you have already been acquainted,” Elizabeth responded archly. “As for status, I now share the status enjoyed by your nephew.”
“I think not, Miss Bennet.” She rapped her cane emphatically against the floor for emphasis. “I think you will be surprised at how little advantage you will gain from this marriage, when it is better known. Oh, I know Matlock and his wife will welcome you with open arms, as they do for anyone, showing their lack of discernment and taste. But the rest of the family will know better. They have no reason to receive you at all, and you may be sure they will learn never to speak your name, no matter whether it is Darcy or Bennet!”
“You have insulted me in every way possible, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth said, resentfully. “I must beg your pardon for taking my leave of you.” She made as if to walk away, but Lady Catherine stopped her.
“Not so fast, if you please! Do you know why my nephew married you, girl?” she asked with a sneer. “He may have been taken in by your impertinent manners, your wit, or your appearance. You may have temporarily entrapped him with your arts and allurements. But when he comes to his senses, he will remember his obligations. He will recall his duty to marry for the best interests of the family, and he will find a way out of this marriage which he has contracted with you.”
“You know not of what you speak, madam, and I must ask you to importune me no more.”
Lady Catherine continued without interruption. “When Darcy comes to his senses, I will find a way to get him out of this entanglement. There is always some error in a marriage contract.”
Elizabeth stared at her in disbelief. “You cannot be in earnest, madam.”
“I am in earnest, and you shall discover it soon enough. But enough of this talk. If Darcy is not here, I shall take my leave. Pray tell him that I will return again and again, until he has the courage to speak with me himself. I leave no compliments, Miss Bennet. I am seriously displeased with you both.” She turned and left as quickly as she came but took the time to wipe her feet off carefully before stepping into the carriage.
Elizabeth waited until she was certain Lady Catherine was gone, then made her way to the parlor and asked for tea to be served, feeling a need to fortify herself before her husband returned to the house. She would have to speak to Fitzwilliam, obviously, and tell him of his aunt’s forceful disapproval of his marriage. Should she tell him everything Lady Catherine had said?
Lady Catherine’s threat to find a way to dissolve the marriage contract ran through Elizabeth’s mind again. Knowing her nature, Elizabeth had surmised that she would oppose her nephew’s marriage, but she had not anticipated such a forceful reaction. The threat of ending the marriage had certainly never crossed her mind. Was it possible that a signed marriage contract could be set aside, that it could even be broken, through some means she had never heard of? Did Lady Catherine have that much influence over her nephew?
No. Her uncle Gardiner, who had overseen her marriage to Darcy, was a businessman. He understood the nature of legal agreements. He would never have agreed to any arrangement that could be easily set aside, leaving Elizabeth disgraced and putting her family in peril again. Besides this, Darcy himself, whatever his other faults, was a gentleman. No gentleman would knowingly enter into a contract, especially one as serious as marriage, with an eye toward dissolving it later under dubious circumstances. Her husband wished to avoid scandal, not to court it. Lady Catherine’s threat was no more than wishful thinking on her part, a reflection of her own feelings of self-importance.
But then, hadn’t Darcy disregarded the terms of his own father’s will, in order to deprive George Wickham of his living? How had he accomplished that? There were more forces at work here than what she understood.
In very short order the sound of the front door opening broke into her thoughts, and then she heard Darcy’s deep voice as he gave his outer things to the servants. On an impulse, she rang the bell to have a maid ask her husband to join her, and to have his own setting brought for tea.
Darcy strode into the drawing room a few minutes later, looking as impeccable as though he had just come from his tailor, and wearing an expression of surprised anticipation. Elizabeth realized that this was the first time since their marriage that she had deliberately sought out his company. He had to wonder at the occasion, but he did not seem averse to joining her. His words of greeting confirmed her impression.
“Mrs. Darcy, this is an unexpected pleasure,” he said formally, sitting across from her and looking at her in that enigmatic way that never told her what he was thinking. She thought she saw a pleased look in his eyes.
“I was serving myself tea and thought, perhaps you might enjoy some as well,” she answered, beginning to pour him a cup. “You have been out most of the day, after all.”
“There were several business matters to conclude before leaving for Pemberley,” he answered, smiling slightly as he saw her add the scant cream and generous sugar that he preferred. She stirred it and then handed him the teacup and saucer together. He accepted it with a nod of approval, and she let him take several sips before speaking again.
“I also wanted to tell you that you missed your aunt, Lady Catherine. She called here a short time ago.”
Darcy’s face took on a wry expression, his mouth twisted up on one side. “I suppose she came to extend her congratulations on our marriage?”
Elizabeth noted that he took his aunt’s disapproval for granted. “She certainly had strong feelings on the subject, which she did not hesitate to make known. I cannot say that I was surprised.”
Darcy grimaced. “I am sorry I was not here to receive her myself. You should not have had to bear her visit alone.”
“It is no matter. I accepted her sentiments on behalf of us both.”
“I am certain that you did. I have always admired your ability to deal with difficult relations.” Elizabeth wondered if he was referring to his relatives, or to her own, but in either case, he was extending her a compliment.
“I suppose she had nothing in particular to say besides giving us her blessing?” he asked. The mocking half-smile on his face told her that he knew how ironic his statement was.
“She said to tell you that she will return as often as necessary until she can see you herself.”
Her husband did not seem troubled by this statement. “I will send her a card with my regrets in the morning. By then we shall be safely off to Pemberley, and there will be no opportunity for her to call again. She must have come from Rosings only today.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “She also refused to address me as Mrs. Darcy, calling me instead Miss Bennet at every opportunity.”
“Good God, Elizabeth!” Darcy set down his tea abruptly. “Was she truly so forward?”
“She spoke in her usual manner, only more so. She did not hesitate to speak her opinion of me.”
Darcy stared at her, his shock obvious. “Tell me everything she said. I need to know the particulars.”
“It was not a lengthy discus
sion.” Elizabeth repeated the conversation as best she could, including his aunt’s words about the marriage contract, and watched her husband’s reaction closely. With every word she spoke his anger became more obvious, and by the time she finished her short recital, his expression had taken on the haughty look she remembered from before their marriage.
“This will have to be answered. My aunt, as you know, has her own notions of nobility and the privileges it affords. She does not hesitate to make me know them.” He stood and walked to the window, looking out of it with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, hesitating, wondering how to ask the next question. “Do the privileges of nobility include setting aside a marriage contract when it no longer suits?”
Darcy turned and looked at her, his face unreadable. “What do you mean, Elizabeth?”
She had no wish to incur her husband’s wrath, but the question was too important to ignore. “Is it possible for a gentleman to do as your aunt said, to find an error in a marriage contract and use that to free himself of the relationship?”
“I have heard of it being done,” he answered grimly, “but no gentleman worthy of the name would behave in such a way.”
“Forgive me for the question, sir, but your aunt seemed rather certain of herself.”
“You wish to know if I would avail myself of the option?” He smiled, seeming to find the question humorous, then crossed the room to place one hand on her shoulder, looking down at her reassuringly. “You need not fear; so far I have found married life pleasing enough.”
Since he made light of it, so would she. “I am glad to hear it. It would be a shame to lose a husband so quickly after gaining one! I, too, have found marriage to be tolerable so far.”
He looked at her again with the odd, quizzical expression she had seen at breakfast, then dropped his hand and moved back toward the front entry. “We shall speak more of this later.”
“Where are you going?” she asked.