by Kate Speck
Darcy smiled, “I will be taking her to my estate near Glasgow for three months for our wedding trip and we will be in Derbyshire for the rest the year. She wished to invite the whole family for a month in September if you would agree, Mr. Bennet. After the new year, Bingley has invited us to Netherfield and we will visit here again before taking part in the season. The separation will be long but not extensive, sir. I know I behaved horribly when I was here last but I assure you, family is very important to me and I will not keep her from you. I will show her every honour by respecting her family and I will care for all of you as well. Your family is now my family, sir.”
Mr. Bennet stood and shook his new son’s hand. “Thank you, Darcy. Thank you. I know you will clear up this mess with Wickham and Jane will have her wedding and all will be well. You do not know how much I appreciate all that you have done.”
The gentlemen returned to the parlour and grinned, seeing the ladies ecstatically opening their gifts and Elizabeth laughing with her sisters.
Darcy saw his wife hug Miss Mary and compliment her for a good job in chaperoning duties and promising her half of her dresses upstairs, as they were most similar in size. He took a seat next to Elizabeth and kissed her hand.
The Bennets could see the love in the newlywed’s eyes when they looked at each other and were content to have Lizzy back at Longbourn, however short time it would be.
After luncheon, the Darcys departed with the promise to see each other the next day with Miss Darcy and Bingley.
In the carriage, Elizabeth tenderly kissed her husband. “Thank you for your kindness, William. You were so considerate of my mother’s feelings even when she was vulgar.” Elizabeth caressed his cheek.
“Your parents are now my parents and your family is mine. I am happy to see you so content, Ellie. I would do anything for you.” Darcy answered.
“And I, for you, William.” Elizabeth kissed him again.
Chapter 18
Meryton was booming with activity as the grand Darcy carriage rolled into the town square. The denizens stopped all at once to see the beautiful landau stop in front of the bookstore and the tall, distinguished gentleman stepped out. His face was stoic but there was a voice saying something from within and Mr. Darcy’s countenance was immediately changed with a large smile.
Darcy handed his wife down the step and laughed, “I know I appear fearsome but I will relax with you by my side, Ellie. It is from habit and you must help me to correct it.”
Elizabeth giggled, “Well, perhaps I do not wish for you to be so genial, husband. Ladies will throw themselves in your path and I will have to fight them off! I imagine if you had smiled and laughed in public before you married me, you would have been swooped up a long time ago.”
Darcy looked into her eyes and raised her hand to kiss it. “Never. I was waiting for you, Ellie.” Forgetting that there were dozens of witnesses watching them, he began to lean in to kiss her lips but straightened as soon as the murmurs increased.
Elizabeth whispered as she laughed, “We need to get to Scotland as soon as possible, my love. We are still too newly wed to be in public.”
“I know it!” Darcy beamed and pecked her hand quickly.
Lady Lucas, who had been coming out of the milliners, saw their interaction and approached them with a huge smile. “Lizzy! Mr. Darcy! Welcome back to Meryton and congratulations!” She excitedly greeted them. “I have been writing to Charlotte often about all the news and we could not believe it when we heard that you had recently married. A fine match, indeed! You look very happy together.”
Elizabeth kissed her cheek and thanked her. “And how is Charlotte? Last I heard from her that she was enjoying her home and telling me about the pigs escaping her garden. Is she comfortable in Hunsford? I had written to her of my wedding to take place but had not a chance to write after I married.”
“Oh, she is as happy as she could be. She did not marry for love but her husband is… not bad and she has dined at Rosings several times. She had guessed that Mr. Darcy was attached to you and thought it very sensible of you to marry him.” She looked at Mr. Darcy and smiled. “It seems you both have made each other very happy.”
“Thank you, Lady Lucas.” Darcy replied. “My wife has been very patient with me and I cannot ask for a better companion. Thank you for your invitation to your party tomorrow night. We would be honoured to attend.”
The Darcys greeted several others on the street then soon excused themselves and entered the bookstore, while word spread quickly that everyone’s favourite Bennet daughter appeared slim around the waist and that her husband was obviously enamoured with the young lady. The stoic, unpleasant man that everyone had known was gone and the wealthy man of 10,000 a year was now reported as the most amiable man of their acquaintance who had married one of their own.
The citizens of Hertfordshire were now completely convinced that whatever that abominable George Wickham had spewed could not possibly be true. Lizzy could not have been ruined for a great man like Mr. Darcy to have married her and that generous gentleman could not have been as unkind as Wickham had told to everyone.
“Mr. Davis,” Elizabeth spoke to the bookshop owner, “I had placed an order for a book over four months ago and I had wondered if you were still holding it for me. I apologise that it has taken so long to return.”
Mr. Davis chuckled, “I do have it, young lady, as it was a special request and no one else had heard of it. Here it is, Miss… I apologise, Mrs. Darcy.” He turned to Darcy, “It is nice to meet you, sir.”
Darcy replied, “Mr. Davis, this is a wonderful store you have and I am regretful that I had not a chance to visit last autumn to see for myself. I have been looking for ‘Childe Harold's Pilgrimage’ myself and had not been successful yet and am eager to read it. Lord Byron’s work is controversial but I enjoy deciding for myself and my wife feels the same.” He softly smiled at Elizabeth. “I will be certain to tell Mr. Bingley of this place, as I have been encouraging him to expand his library.”
The men shook hands and after paying for the book, the couple left to visit several other stores.
The merchants were quick to note that Mr. Darcy was a considerate gentleman who treated everyone with respect and the Darcys made purchases at nearly all the stores in Meryton.
“I am exhausted but it was a good day, William.” Elizabeth leaned on his shoulder in the carriage ride back to Netherfield. “We will have our celebratory dinner with Georgie at Longbourn tonight and tomorrow is the party at the Lucas’s. We have the final dinner at Netherfield, and then Jane and Charles will be married. I am excited for the week and yet I am anxious to pass soon so we can get home, William.” She kissed his cheek, “After your meeting with Colonel Forster tomorrow, I will feel better, I am sure.”
Darcy rubbed her arm, “I plan on exposing Wickham at the Lucas’s party for all to hear and I will be calling on Sir William after I deliver you home to discuss the details. He is not a very intelligent man, I regret to say, but I will admit that he is good-natured and his reply to my note indicated that he will be willing to support us in every way he can. He thinks of you like a daughter and wrote that I carried away the brightest jewel of the country.” He fondly kissed her lips. “And I know it to be true. I love you, Ellie.”
After Darcy left Elizabeth to rest, he departed to Lucas Lodge to call on Sir William and put his plans for justice into motion.
Unfortunately, he did not anticipate another impediment to their happiness to arrive that same day.
~*~
“WHERE IS HE?!” The loud voice boomed in the front entry as Mr. Bingley flinched at this unwelcome visitor’s words.
“He is not here, milady,” Bingley apprehensively answered. “But Mrs. Darcy is…”
“MRS. DARCY! What nonsense! The future Mrs. Darcy is standing behind me and I will not accept this sham of a marriage. Darcy is engaged to my daughter and he will have to rectify it immediately. This temporary, so-called marriage will end and h
e will have the rightful Mrs. Darcy in his homes.” Lady Catherine de Bourgh shouted.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and approached. “I am Elizabeth Darcy and there is no mistake that Mr. Darcy is married and to the woman of his choosing. No matter your wishes for his future, his choice has been made and it is final, madam. Now, I do see Mr. Collins behind you with your daughter. Perhaps he can introduce us, like the civilised people we are.” She stood tall and proud.
“I WILL NOT….” Lady Catherine could not finish.
“THIS IS MR. BINGLEY’S HOME AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!” Elizabeth raised her voice. She took another deep breath. “You have no authority here and if you cannot behave with common decency, as acting hostess here, I will have you escorted off the property. Do I make myself clear?”
Lady Catherine, who had never had anyone speak to her like so stood with her mouth agape. Daughter of an earl or not, she knew she could not demand entrance to an unknown estate and the residents here had every right to bar her if they wished.
Mr. Collins scuffled forward and bowed repeatedly, “Lady Catherine, this is my cousin Elizabeth Benn...”
“DARCY!” Elizabeth shouted.
Mr. Collins bowed a few more times, “...Elizabeth Darcy and Mr. Bingley.” Turning back to his patroness, he continued, “This is Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park in Kent, daughter to the former Earl of Matlock and wife of the late Sir Lewis de Bourgh, and her illustrious daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh.”
Lady Catherine finally recovered and stood with her nose high in the air.
Elizabeth nodded, “Let us go to the sitting room, everyone.” She spoke affectionately to her gentle sister, “Dear Georgiana, you may join us.”
Georgiana meekly came out from hiding and curtseyed to her aunt and cousin. “Aunt, cousin Anne, how good it is to see you again. It has been too long.” She linked her arm with Elizabeth’s, half in fear and half in encouragement, for her new sister to put her frightening aunt in her place.
“You are excused, Mr. Bingley.” Lady Catherine commanded, as she flickered her hands to wave him away after sitting down.
“I think not, Lady Catherine. This is his home.” Elizabeth sternly declared. “My husband will not be pleased if you should abuse his wife and sister without his friend and soon-to-be brother’s protection.”
Mr. Bingley sat upright with more confidence. “I agree. Please state your business, madam.”
Lady Catherine fumed but could do naught else. “I had been ill with an annoying cold for a few days and had neglected to read the papers for over a week, but when Mrs. Collins received a letter that you, Miss Elizabeth, had accepted my nephew’s proposal, I could not believe it to be possibly true. But when Mr. Collins reported to me that in a letter from his wife’s mother that rumour was rampant of your being most thoroughly soiled by Wickham, the son of a steward whom I know is a profligate rogue, I set myself to speak with Darcy immediately. Only when I saw the announcement in the papers had I realised that the wedding had already taken place and I am here to demand an annulment, and he will marry my honourable daughter who will not bring shame to the Darcy name. You are a strumpet and should be banished to some countryside cottage. I care not if you remain to be his mistress but you do not deserve the title of Mrs. Darcy and that title belongs to my daughter.”
“Whether or not my past is smeared is irrelevant, Lady Catherine. I AM Mrs. Darcy and our vows were made in front of God and man. No one can tear us apart.” Elizabeth spoke evenly and controlled. “Rumour or not, Mr. Darcy wanted me as his wife and it is already done.”
“Mr. Collins has told me how wilful you were and that you had ran away from your home to travel to London after his generous proposal. I would not be surprised if you had prostituted yourself to men after Wickham took you and landed on Darcy to tempt him beyond his control for his fortune.” Lady Catherine spat. “Are the shades of Pemberley thus to be polluted? I have also been told by Mr. Collins that your youngest sister was also ruined and that she is the biggest flirt in this county. It must be a family trait; two harlots and Mr. Bingley will be connected to the eldest next…”
“LADY CATHERINE!” Darcy’s voice roared at the door. He had arrived in time to hear his aunt calling his beloved wife such an obscenity and he was ready to commit murder today.
He stormed into the room and held Elizabeth in his arms. “How dare you say such words to my wife? And in my sister’s presence? You have brought your toad with you, I see.” His eyes turned to Anne who was shaking in fear in the corner. He turned to Georgiana, “Sister, take our cousin and Mrs. Jenkinson to your rooms and call for some tea. They will be staying at Netherfield until I can have Anne delivered to uncle and aunt in a few days. Clearly she does not look well and should not have travelled so far from home.”
Georgiana immediately directed Mrs. Jenkinson and Anne out of the room and left the conversation.
Darcy glared at his aunt who was also red in anger. “Lady Catherine, I will have uncle take control of Anne’s inheritance and you will lose all power over Rosings. I have attended you every Easter and you forget that I know your situation well. You will be removed to the dower house as originally willed by your husband and uncle will take over management as he wished for years. We had discussed it already but I had wanted to wait until after returning from my wedding trip but you leave me no choice, Lady Catherine. I love my wife and I chose her because she is the best woman I know. You have offended me in the greatest way possible and I will never forgive you.”
“But you must marry Anne, Darcy!” Lady Catherine bellowed. “This harlot has trapped you and you must seek an annulment immediately.” She turned to Elizabeth, “You only bring shame and I know all about you and your sisters’ desires to use Mr. Collins while he resided under your father’s roof. He has told me all, Miss Bennet! How you flirted with him and tempted him but when he finally decided to propose to you, that you refused him most vehemently because you wished to have a wealthier man at your feet. He was finally resigned to marry Miss Lucas because she was noble and intelligent, while you have no dowry and your father’s estate is entailed. You should have agreed to marry Mr. Collins and you are a fool.”
Darcy’s fierce demeanour broke as soon he heard his wife burst into laughter. He relaxed, knowing that Elizabeth was perfectly capable of handling herself.
“That is very amusing, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth responded after her laughter settled. “No doubt your lackey told you that I begged for his attentions and that I teased him into proposing to me. Did he mention that I refused him four times? He did not understand the meaning of ‘no’ and I could not have been firmer in declining his proposals. My sisters avoided him like the plague and my mother was the only one who thought him appropriate to marry me, only because he would have Longbourn someday.” She stood closer to Mr. Collins and glared at him. “I left my home only because your odious parson threatened to evict the widow and his cousin’s five daughters out of their homes before my father was cold in the ground, and implied that an accident or illness might be met to my father soon, as if he would commit murder himself if he did not get his way. My mother fainted from her worries and my father wanted me to marry this buffoon in fear of the future. Mr. Collins, as my sister told me, was immediately evicted from Longbourn, never to return until my father’s passing, and only by Sir William’s graciousness, was he allowed to stay in Lucas Lodge for three nights, when he proposed to my dear friend and she accepted him.”
“But you are a whore and you should have let me save you!” Mr. Collins yelled.
Immediately, Elizabeth slapped the foolish man across his cheek as hard as possible. But being a small woman, her hardest blow was no match for the large oaf and Mr. Collins grabbed her arm with his left hand and raised his right to strike her face.
Darcy roared and pushed the man away from his wife, and after Mr. Collins quickly released his grip, Darcy struck the man solidly across his jaw. As Mr. Collins fell to the floor and reached for
his chin in agony, Darcy sat on his chest and grabbed the idiot by the throat with both hands.
“You dare spread lies and call my wife such names and expect to live? Do you wish for a duel? I will kill you with my bare hands! I will gut you from your stomach to your neck for grabbing my wife. How dare you touch her?” He shouted angrily. He had never been so furious and was ready to choke the life out of this man.
Bingley had been standing next to Elizabeth protectively as soon as his friend pounced on the parson and he spoke next. “I will be your second, Darcy. No one dare harms my future sister without consequence.”
Elizabeth squeezed Bingley’s arm and nodded her thanks. She walked to her husband, “You can release him now, William. He has not harmed me and he is too much of a coward to duel you. If he apologises to me right now, I will forget all this happened.” She gently rubbed Darcy’s shoulder to calm him.
Darcy released his grip and stood while Mr. Collins coughed violently. Mr. Collins came to the realization that he would be killed by Mr. Darcy’s hands now or by his sword the next day and immediately began to grovel. His life was more valuable than Lady Catherine’s wrath.
“I apologise from the bottom of my heart for my lies and for calling you such vicious, untruthful names. You always behaved a lady and I fabricated everything due to my spitefulness for being refused. I am sorry for grabbing your arm and I promise to never utter such falsehoods again for as long as I live.” He was in tears now. “I am so sorry. So very sorry.”
Elizabeth sighed, “I accept your apology. I will have to write to Charlotte about our conversation today and she will not take kindly that you have offended me in such a way. She was my biggest proponent growing up here, you know.”
Elizabeth turned to Lady Catherine, “Is there anything else you wish to address? My husband will be taking care of Mr. Wickham tomorrow and I will confidently share with you right now that there is no truth in of anything you have accused me.” She looked at the woman up and down for a moment, making the elderly woman uncomfortable. “I feel sorry for you, Lady Catherine. You have controlled others for so long that you do not know what it means to heed the counsel of wise and intelligent people. You forced your will to the point of making others fear you or despise you and you will die alone and miserable if you do not change your ways. You will lose your home, your daughter, and your family, and you will have no respect left unless you respect others first. You could have had the care of your nephew to assist you for the rest of your days but now, you have lost his good opinion and you will be alone.”
