by Kate Speck
“You have been helpful, Elizabeth, more than you would ever know.” Darcy kissed her hand. “It seems Wickham is implicated and I will need to look closer for his relationship to Mrs. Younge.” He looked at his pocket watch, “Now, it is indeed closer to dinnertime and I do not wish to intrude. I will find myself lodgings at the inn and will call again tomorrow.”
Elizabeth grinned, “You did not think we would send you off to an inn, did you? After the royal treatment we received at Darcy House, we shall certainly host you for two nights. Although we cannot offer you the master’s suite, papa proposed your taking the mistress’ suite.”
Darcy smiled with delight. He did not mind the inn but to part with Elizabeth only for sleep was infinitely preferred.
“And you can attend church service with us tomorrow so we can have the banns read immediately,” Mr. Bennet added, “unless you wish to wait until your return to Hertfordshire at a later time, Darcy.”
“No, sir! I would be happy to start the banns immediately. Thank you, sir!” Darcy stood and shook his future father-in-law’s hand and bowed to Mr. Gardiner.
Mr. Bennet composed a note to the reverend to make the announcement while Darcy joined the rest of the family to meet Elizabeth’s siblings and learn more about each of the sisters and brother. He hired a rider for a letter to be sent to Georgiana so she would know the outcome of his travel to Longbourn and also sent word to Richard Fitzwilliam of the latest findings.
~*~
“You should not be smoking in here!” Caroline screeched. “What if you set the bed on fire?”
“Save your badgering for your husband, Caro. Pour me another glass of that French cognac. Allens would not know the difference if I replaced it with cheap brandy and I plan on helping myself to all of his possessions while he is passed out drunk again. Get back in bed and sit on me, woman.” The man commanded.
Caroline Bingley Allens huffed, “I am no one’s possession!” She finished pouring his drink and climbed onto her lover’s body while still completely nude. “My husband is at my beck and call and he is enjoying my dowry, so you are in fact enjoying my cognac and my body.” She began to kiss his naked chest.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Caro. He cannot get it up for his new wife even once a week and you would not have been forced to marry the idiot so quickly if you had not been insistent on attending the ball. You took my place and look where it landed you.” He finished his drink and threw his cigar in the glass. “Poor Allens has no idea that he is a cuckold and how often I have been taking you behind his back. He had no clue you were not a maiden, did he?” The man laughed.
“No, you took me first and I cannot get enough of you.” She sat up and began the lovemaking. “You are so handsome, my love.”
He gripped her hips and guided her movements. “Keep moving like that, my little harlot. I knew you would be good in bed the day we met and I have taught you much the past month. Even though you have been married but one week, I am certain you have my babe inside you by now. At least I will not leave you alone with your stupid husband.” He laughed.
Caroline moaned. “I wish you did not have to go. I would gladly keep you for an allowance. Do not go; I will give you everything you want and another £1,000. Come to Cumberland and you can stay with us in our grand mansion and be my lover every night.” She began to move faster. “We can raise our son together when I have an heir!” She screamed out loudly as the man completed his own pleasures.
“I am leaving in the morning, Caro, and perhaps I will see you again. I plan on getting married soon.” He sneered, as he pushed her off his body and stood up to dress. “But I want to get under Elizabeth Bennet’s skirts next. She is a gentleman’s daughter and is much prettier than you!” He mocked her, as Caroline burned red in anger.
“Get out, you bastard!” She threw the glass at him, hitting the fireplace and shattering it to a million pieces. “I hate you! I hate Eliza Bennet!”
The man laughed with a sneer, “You are going to have my child, Caro, do not be jealous. I promise to come back and give you a second brat later.” He walked over and kissed her mouth roughly. “Enjoy your time with Allens.”
George Wickham chuckled and left her room so he could prepare for his trip to join the militia in Meryton.
~*~
Darcy sat with a broad grin as the banns were read at Meryton Chapel. He held Elizabeth’s hand discreetly and rubbed her fingers and they were blissfully happy to formally announce their engagement.
Many congregants came to congratulate the couple and Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Howard beamed proudly. The wedding would take place on January the fifteenth and the newlyweds would travel to London to stay at Darcy House for a fortnight before taking a holiday in Bath for a wedding trip.
“Everyone, I have received a letter from a man that I have never met before.” Mr. Bennet began, as they sat down for luncheon after church. “In all the chaos of yesterday, I did not see the letter on my desk and I only read it this morning. It appears Mr. William Collins, my cousin who would have been heir to Longbourn if we did not have Brandon, wishes to entreat us with a visit after Epiphany to heal the breach and offer an olive branch. He is a rector and boasts of his patroness, the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent.”
Darcy suddenly choked on his food and began to cough violently. Elizabeth, who was sitting next to him, tapped his back and offered him a sip of wine.
When he recovered he spoke, “Lady Catherine? I must confess I did not expect the association, sir. She is actually my mother’s elder sister. She is my aunt and the widow of a knight in Kent.” He turned to Elizabeth, “My cousin Anne is the one that I have told you about, the one that has not spoken since childhood. Lady Catherine has insisted for years that my mother wished for the union and that I should consider myself engaged to my cousin. I promise you that there is no truth to it and Anne is not in any position to be a wife to anyone. She, unfortunately, has few accomplishments due to her mother’s belief that she is too ill for any lessons. How she believes her to be appropriate for mistress of Pemberley is beyond me.”
“Perhaps her dowry is her best quality and Lady Catherine believes it to be the only necessary attribute.” Elizabeth retorted. “Pray, how large is her dowry? I do not wish to be crass but if Lady Catherine has been spouting such nonsense, it must be quite significant.”
“She has £30,000 and I agree with you. She is heiress to Rosings Park which brings in £6,000 a year and I believe Lady Catherine thinks it enough inducement for me to marry her.” Darcy answered. He looked at Elizabeth fondly, “I would marry a penniless woman who has won my affections, even if she were a companion or from a ruined family.”
Elizabeth squeezed his hand under the table and smiled in understanding.
Mr. Bennet coughed and the rest of the family laughed at the blushing newly-betrothed couple, who were often lost gazing at each other.
Mrs. Howard then asked, “So this cousin of yours, Mr. Bennet, what is his reason for making the trip? It will be after our wedding and the new year, but we will be engrossed in preparing for Lizzy’s own wedding. Agatha and Frederick will have departed after our wedding but my cousin Thomas and Elizabeth Jane, as well as his parents, Lord and Lady Suffolk will all wish to attend. Lord and Lady Matlock will also arrive and,” she began to fret in earnest, “your sister and Mr. Kingston will need to extend their stay after arriving this Tuesday. Oh, Mr. Bennet! We have so much work to do and there are not enough rooms at Longbourn. I have not met Mr. Bingley yet and even if Netherfield were prepared, we could not impose on his hospitality so soon and my brother does not have enough space at Lucas Lodge to be able to accommodate two sets of earls and countesses!”
This time, Darcy began to chuckle softly. Elizabeth nudged her betrothed to make him stop but he could not hold in a snort and Mrs. Howard looked at him and began to laugh as well.
“Oh, Lizzy, I must have sounded like a silly woman. Forgive me. Mr. Darcy knows what I was l
ike at Agatha’s wedding. Poor Frederick slept on the couch for three nights because I had packed our guests into his townhouse.” Mrs. Howard laughed. “The truth is, we have room for only three more guests here at Longbourn and only a few at Lucas Lodge. What are we going to do? Should we move the ceremony to London? What are our options?”
Darcy smiled, “I have already spoken with Mr. Bennet when we had begun making plans. I will be finalising it after Bingley’s approval but the delay in moving into Netherfield is due to staffing needs that cannot be filled during the Christmas season, and after Epiphany, the house will be at full capacity. Mr. Morris had already agreed for Netherfield to be opened up to begin its preparations for his new tenant and Mr. Bennet and I visited last evening to meet with Mrs. Nicholls. She has given me a list of what is needed and I plan on returning the day after Boxing Day with my own set of servants so we may reside there before Bingley’s tenancy officially begins. As long as Bingley approves, I will take responsibility for hosting the Matlocks and Suffolks. The Gardiners,” he looked at the wonderful couple, “would be welcome to stay at Netherfield with us. I would be happy to host George and Charlotte again.”
Mrs. Howard let out a deep breath. “That is such a wonderful plan. Thank you, Mr. Darcy! It is such a relief that you have thought it all out.” She looked at Mr. Bennet affectionately. “I should have trusted that my dear Mr. Bennet would have it all sorted.”
Mr. Bennet coloured, “Darcy had thought of it first but I did have some to do with the planning of it. We are gaining a good son, Agnes.” He smiled and continued to describe his cousin. “I hope Collins’ idea of an olive branch is not to seek a wife amongst my daughters. Jane will soon resume her friendship with Mr. Bingley and Lizzy is betrothed. Mary,” he called his middle daughter, “perhaps you wish to be next in courtship?” He laughed to see his shy daughter blush. “You will be at liberty to make your own choices, my dear. I will not let any of my daughters go to anyone unworthy.”
Kitty and Lydia giggled at the thought of their sister Mary marrying a parson and Brandon teased Lydia that she would be stuck at home forever to wait for Mary and Kitty to marry before her.
The family laughed and enjoyed their luncheon, and the rest of the day was spent on planning for the two weddings.
~*~
“I hope you are happy for your sister, Master Bennet.” Darcy approached the young man who had been eyeing him with disdain since his arrival. “I know we do not know each other yet but I promise to care for her for all of my days.”
Brandon huffed and continued to feed the horses in the stable while Darcy spoke patiently to him. “How do I know you are not lying? You made her cry and she was sad for a week because you hurt her. What if you abandon her again? I know the other boys at school talk about how their fathers bed the maids or their brothers have mistresses. Lizzy does not need you to care for her! She can take care of herself.”
Darcy took a deep breath, “I am very well aware that Miss Elizabeth can care for herself. I stopped a woman who tried to strike her and your sister gave me an earful that she could protect herself and chided me for interfering.” He laughed. “Your sister is wilful and strong and is the most wonderful woman I know. She speaks her mind and does not bow down to anyone. Her independence and boldness caught my eye and she is most beautiful when she is angry. There will never be anyone for me than her, Master Bennet. I will give her everything within my power to make her happy.”
“But she does not need your money, either!” Brandon shot back. “She has £30,000 and is heiress to the Kingston estate. That cousin of yours might have £6,000 a year but Lizzy will have a thousand more! She never needs to marry and you do not deserve her.”
Darcy, who had not known of Elizabeth’s fortune, stood in shock for several moments. Mr. Bennet had alluded to the fact that his daughters had a significant dowry and Mrs. Gardiner had once slipped accidentally that Jane had £10,000. He could see clearly for himself that Longbourn, although Mr. Bennet implied it to bring in £2,000 a year, was a very prosperous estate of at least £4,000 annually, and if Mr. Bennet had been conservative these past twenty plus years, along with the first Mrs. Bennet’s dowry, a £10,000 dowry for each of the daughters could easily be believed.
He shook his head, realising once again that he was undeserving of the woman whom he loved with all of his heart. “I was not aware of her fortune, Master Bennet. I asked her for courtship when I thought her dowerless and your father poor. I honestly do not have need of her fortune and I will ensure that the settlement papers will reflect what is hers.” He patted one of the horses’ head and fed it a carrot. “I know I do not deserve her. I know she may very well be happier with a jovial man who could love her and make her laugh and give her all of her heart’s desire, but I need her. I cannot find happiness without her and if I am not with her, I would be living a half-life. I have never needed anyone before but after meeting her, after gaining her love, I cannot imagine life if Elizabeth is not by my side.”
Brandon contemplated the tall man’s comments. “You really love her? You will never hurt her again?”
“I love her very much. I know we will argue and as much I never wish to hurt her, she may cry because I will be an idiot at times. I will make mistakes but it will never be intentional and I will do everything I can to show her how much I love her every day.” Darcy answered.
Brandon was quiet for several moments as they continued to feed the horses. At last, he finally spoke out, “Thank you for the bow and arrows that you sent with the Gardiners. I did not have a chance to say it before. It was a very considerate gift.”
“You are very welcome. I remember enjoying my first set in my youth and I thought you might be of age to begin to learn. Had you any archery lessons?” Darcy asked with a soft smile.
“Not yet,” the young man answered energetically. “I have been asking several times but papa said I had to have someone show me how to do it so I do not kill anything by accident. Would you be able to show me? I see that you are very good with horses as well. Your stallion is the biggest one I have ever seen. Do you fence? Will you teach me how to shoot a pistol? I have used a rifle before but the boys at school talked about firing a hand-pistol but papa has been so busy with his wedding preparation, I did not have a chance to ask him. Have you ever been in a fistfight? I cannot imagine hitting someone with my bare hands.” He began to ask questions after questions without waiting for an answer.
“It would be my pleasure to show you a little of what I have learned. Shall we try archery now? We have some time before dinner and the ladies are quite occupied with laces and ribbons.” He offered.
Brandon’s eyes shined in joy. “That would be wonderful.” He embraced Darcy, surprising the older gentleman. “I am glad to be gaining a brother, Mr. Darcy.”
“William.” Darcy patted the young man’s back. “My name is William, Master Bennet.”
“Brandon,” The young man looked up and smiled, “Your brother Brandon, William.”
They both walked to gather the bow and arrows and spent the next hour laughing and becoming true brothers.
Chapter 17
“I will see you after Christmas, my love.” Darcy spoke in Elizabeth’s ear as he kissed her jaw. “This will be the last one before you are Mrs. Darcy. Next year, we can have a grand celebration with everyone at Pemberley or perhaps all alone in our bed with no one to bother us. I will leave the decision to my dearest wife.” He placed his mouth on hers and gave her a taste of his desires.
Elizabeth huffed to catch her breath. “I would have never guessed you could be so passionate, William. This is a very new feeling for me. I cannot wait to be your wife.”
Darcy slowly lifted his lips from her neck and ear, “I never knew it either, Elizabeth. I have never felt so alive. As heatedly as we argue, I believe we will love just as much, hopefully more. I dread being parted from you these next four days but I will return with a slew of servants and Georgiana in tow, and then we will be togeth
er always. I love you with all of my heart.”
“I will miss you so much but time will pass quickly. I know you have much on your mind and I promise to be understanding when you are thinking of other menial things, like capturing a murderer, instead of dreaming of me.” Elizabeth teased. “And send my regards to your dashing cousin and the handsome Mr. Peel.”
Darcy laughed, “I shall never doubt your love for me again, although I hope you will not tease me too often. I am confident that you love me and I will never take it for granted.” He gently kissed her lips. “See you in four days, my love.”
Elizabeth waved her handkerchief as he departed for London on his horse. She wiped her tears as she returned inside where Jane immediately ran to her and embraced her.
The other ladies sympathised as well and hugged her, offering many distractions to ensure she would be kept busy. With Christmas and the wedding, there were many tasks still incomplete and Elizabeth was grateful for her family around her.
She fingered her opal ring as well as the pearl necklace that Darcy had gifted her and smiled tenderly in remembrance of the times with her beloved.
~*~
“Welcome back, sir,” Mr. Mason greeted his master, “The colonel is waiting for you in the drawing room with Miss Darcy.”
“Thank you, Mason.” Darcy divested his coat and gloves and entered the room after wiping his face with his handkerchief.
Georgiana ran to her brother to jump into his arms. “William! You have returned and you are beaming. Oh, I will have the sister I always wanted. I am so happy for you!”
Darcy chuckled, “I am still dirty from the ride, Georgiana! You will ruin your dress. I am truly very happy. I never imagined such bliss and I am only relieved she accepted a fool like me. I know I do not deserve her.”
Richard laughed, “A gentleman of your status and connections undeserving of her? I know you love her but she is gaining something here as well, Darcy. I hope she feels the same about you.”
