by Kate Speck
Charles smiled, “Thank you, Darcy. I am truly grateful for your guidance. Thank you for enlisting Lady Anne and Mrs. Bennet’s assistance as well. Caroline has been inept and has no idea what needs to take place. My sister and her husband should be arriving tomorrow and they will be better help but we know few people here and Caroline does not want to show her face to the neighbours, either.”
“It will be well.” William responded. “There are many who will assist and with the matrons on it, you will not have to worry about the details of the funeral but only to work with your solicitor to iron out the specifics of your father’s will. I do not have much experience of it but my father will certainly help you with that point.”
Richard spoke gently, “I know much about wills since I had to ensure everything was reviewed carefully when I received my inheritance, and I had to write another one since becoming engaged. I will help you, Bingley.”
“I will go and fetch it right now, then.” Charles nodded. “Thank you, gentlemen.” He stood to gather his father’s last will and testament from his study.
William stood to look around the drawing room. There were several tables with trinkets spread out all over them and every surface had some type of shiny object on them. He lifted a few to look at them and commented, “I do not understand the point of these items here. They are all gold-plated or crystals and look expensive but why so many? Why everywhere?”
Richard chuckled as he replied, “Because it shows off wealth and opulence. It is common practice amongst the newly minted class, where they feel they must exhibit their fortune with as many objects as possible and flaunt what they lack in taste by sheer number. I have seen homes with objects like this but of course, this is more than the usual. Not surprising since this is Caroline Bingley, after all.” He laughed.
William smiled, “I only just noticed your coat, Richard. It looks very similar to the one that I wore the other day, with the same black striping on green. What good taste you have!” He laughed to see his cousin grin broadly. “Oh, bloody hell!” William cursed, as he turned around and his hand knocked over a golden bowl, with dozens of shiny orbs inside which landed on the floor.
Richard stood up to look behind the couch where William was crouched on the ground on all fours to pick up the globes to replace it back into the bowl, when the door burst opened widely and Caroline Bingley ran into the room. She rushed to embrace Richard from behind, having mistaken him for William because of the nearly identical coat.
“Oh, my dear sir,” Caroline cried out, “I am so glad you have come. You are here to save me again when I am in desperate need. Please, I know you have found me attractive and you cannot be serious about marrying that hoyden of a girl and you must choose me! I am beautiful and perfect to be your wife, and I have £20,000 that you can use as you wish and you will have everything at your fingertips.”
William jumped up from the floor with his eyes broad and mouth agape in shock. He could see Richard holding in his amusement and grinning while the woman’s hands were wrapped around the waist. He nodded his consent for his heroic cousin to do his worst.
Richard smirked before tenderly rubbing Caroline Bingley’s hands on his abdomen. “Oh, but the wedding is in ten days, madam, and my betrothed already comes with £20,000. I do not know where you have heard that she is a hoyden, but she will be the perfect mistress at Rosings Park.” He turned to face her, embracing her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “But since you did attempt to compromise me, I am certain arrangements can be made... to have you shipped off to a faraway place to bury your head in shame.”
Caroline gasped and quickly pulled her body away from the man whose voice did not belong to Fitzwilliam Darcy. She nearly fainted when she saw William standing behind the couch and the man that she had been holding had been Mr. Fitzwilliam instead.
“I... I... it was all innocent...” She stammered, “I did not mean...”
“You attempted to compromise Mr. Fitzwilliam now?!” Charles Bingley shrieked from the door, as he had seen his sister’s arms around the gentleman and stepping back from the former colonel. “Have you learned nothing from your last disgrace with Darcy?!”
Caroline paled and replied, “But I was not trying to compromise Mr. Fitzwilliam! I was trying to...”
“Compromise me again.” William declared, with disdain on his face. He took a deep breath and calmly stated, “Miss Bingley, you do not seem to understand that I choose that hoyden because she is the most wonderful woman I know. You seem to believe that your dowry is your greatest asset but I will tell you, once and for all, that Elizabeth Bennet has more worth than you will ever see in your lifetime and is a priceless treasure. She is better than a hundred of you and you will never compare to my betrothed.” He turned to Bingley, “Let us go over your father’s will. I am curious what he indicated for your sister’s future, especially when she is throwing herself at two unwilling participants. At least we are friends of yours that we will not make this a public disgrace.”
Caroline paled and attempted to run from the room again but her brother grabbed her arm to stop her. “I will make the choices that father would have made for you and you will suffer, Caroline. Father passed only hours ago and yet you are already ruining our family name. I hope to marry you off to the first tradesman that comes along.” He released her and she ran off in tears.
The three gentlemen sat down to look over the will and made the decisions that would serve best for Caroline Bingley. Charles Bingley was pleased to see that his father had been diligent with his holdings and promised to invest a percentage of it with Gardiner Enterprises. He shared that he would be proposing to Jane Bennet as soon as he turned one and twenty and that he was determined to marry her, even though he knew he was very young.
William and Richard returned to Netherfield after seeing that Mr. Bingley’s funeral arrangements were made by Lady Anne, Mrs. Bennet, and Lady Lucas, and the gentlemen were most eager to share with their betrothed of the incident with Caroline Bingley and her foolishness.
Chapter 19
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Bingley were as smooth as expected with the leading matrons taking charge.
Lizzy stayed away from Purvis Lodge, not only to avoid becoming angry with Caroline Bingley but also to give that woman a chance to grieve for her father’s death and for Louisa and Charles to take measures to discipline their shrewish sister.
After Mr. Bingley was laid to rest, Caroline Bingley was carted off to a nunnery to spend six months to review the lessons that she had forgotten from seminary schooling, and after she turned one and twenty, she would be given a choice to reside with the Hursts or to move to York with their spinster Aunt Bingley until she could capture a husband and be married off. Louisa Hurst had been mortified that Caroline had attempted to compromise Mr. Darcy in public and Lord Matlock had given Mr. Hurst and Charles Bingley a stern warning that Caroline Bingley would never be accepted in high society in London, and that her aspirations to become an admired socialite would never come true.
Louisa Hurst had never thought she could ever speak so violently to her sister before, but after losing favour with the Earl and Countess, and to see the ever-gentle Lady Anne give Caroline the cut direct, she knew her sister’s acceptance into that world was over and she feared being outcasted herself due to their relation.
Mr. Hurst was furious that his sister-in-law had behaved like a commoner and was humiliated that he married into such a family, but after learning that Mr. Bingley had made the adjustments in his will, he was mollified. It had stated that if Caroline had embarrassed the family name before she was of legal age, she would have to go to a convent until she turned one and twenty or forfeit her dowry and be given only £5,000. There was also the stipulation that if she did not correct her ways to find herself a husband by the age of thirty, that Charles would be permitted to send Caroline to York with only £10,000 to her name and the she would be under the legal care of Mr. Hurst or Charles, without ever gaining
control of her own dowry. Mr. Bingley had been a shrewd businessman and at last realised that he had spoiled his second daughter too much, and he had taken measures to attempt to correct his wrongdoing but also desired to have his daughter comfortable.
Hurst had been impressed with his wife’s discipline of the wayward sister and agreed to house her if she was under strict control and did nothing to embarrass his family.
Bingley breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the carriage depart with his horrid sister inside. He would be in mourning but would attend several functions discreetly and would be allowed to court Jane at Longbourn before returning to his last year at Cambridge.
~*~
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” William asked Lizzy as they stood in the foyer at Longbourn after dinner. The Darcys and Fitzwilliams and Grantleys had dined with the Bennets the evening before the double wedding, and after the hearty meal, the rest of the party had returned to Netherfield but William had remained behind to spend several more precious minutes with his dearest Lizzy.
She smiled, “I have never been more ready, Will! I have had so many trunks packed up and my sisters have fought over the items that I will be leaving behind. And although I am somewhat sad that I will not return to Longbourn to reside here again, I look forward to life with you and being a Darcy. I never thought I would marry, Will, but if I had to give up everything I am for one thing, it is you. I love you, Will, and I will never let you go again.”
William smiled tenderly and kissed her lips. “And I will never let you go again. I know we have made many decisions together and I foresee a future with many joys as well as arguments, but I know we are meant for each other and we will be blissfully happy together. You are still in agreement with staying three nights at Darcy House and then commencing our travel for our wedding trip?” He asked.
“Where are we going, Will? You still have not told me where you are taking me and I am beyond curious, but I am excited for it as well. Should I be packing my gentleman disguise?” She asked with a brow raised. “I do not know if I can wait three nights at Darcy House to begin our travels! Could we not depart sooner? I am so excited!”
William coloured but spoke patiently, “Lizzy, the three nights at Darcy House is so we can have complete privacy without needing to leave the house. I promise you will be kept quite occupied and you will have little time to think about traveling in a carriage for the following days. We will be gone at least two months, likely three months, and we will return to Netherfield to make it our home and live blissfully happy together.” He leaned down and kissed her ardently. “See you tomorrow, my love, and thank you for your generous gift. I am still shock that you embroidered such a beautiful cushion with ‘F. Darcy + Lizzy B.’ which reminds me of our tree and it was very delicately done. Your embroidery has improved and is quite acceptable now.”
Lizzy tapped his arm, “You tease me but it took me a month to work on that, Will. I thought I had lost you and all I could do was to try to learn how to be a better wife to you while I sat on my tree and cried my tears. I thought that if I had been better to you, if I had been more accomplish...” he ceased her speech by kissing her with passion.
“You never lost me and you are very accomplished, Lizzy,” William breathed as he cradled her face. “I am sorry I made you cry. I should have returned to your side, even if you might not have wanted me here. I should have made you listen to me to tell you how much I love you and that I could not live without you by my side. I behaved cowardly by staying in London in April. I should have never danced with other ladies or call on Caroline Bingley three times. I should have been here with you, begging for your hand or at least your friendship.”
“No, Will, your choice was wise. Papa Darcy was right, you know.” Lizzy stroked his cheek. “You needed to see if there were other choices before you. You needed to go on your Grand Tour in order to see as much of the country as possible, and you needed to dance with beautiful ladies and call on them to see what you truly wanted. If you had never experienced courting ladies outside of our friendship, how would I know that you would not regret me in the future?” She smiled, “Now that you have seen the choices before you and still chose me, I know that I am yours and you are mine.”
William laughed, “Is that your way of telling me that you wish to be courted by other gentlemen? It is too late, you know. We are to marry tomorrow!”
Lizzy laughed as well, “No! I had never wished to marry before and having John Thorpe pursue me that one day in Ramsgate and your believing me betrothed to Captain Wickham should be sufficient to remind you that I am quite sought after and that you had better not make a terrible blunder or else I will have my vengeance!” She giggled as she covered her mouth, “Remember that I am quite talented in character study and I know you better than anyone else!”
“I will never forget, milady,” William kissed her cheek and smiled. “You are precious to me and I know what I am gaining.”
“Oh, Will, we are gaining each other. I hope we will always see each other as equals. That is the greatest wedding gift you can give me.” Lizzy embraced him tightly around his waist.
William kissed her head, “We are equals, Lizzy. You are the best woman I know. I will see you tomorrow morning at the chapel. Hours to go, my love, hours.”
After another kiss, William mounted his horse and slowly departed for Netherfield. He smiled broadly and waved as he returned home on the familiar path, separating from his heart for the last time.
Lizzy returned indoors and found Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner grinning broadly at her. “What? What has happened? Everyone else has retired?”
Mrs. Gardiner answered with a smile, “Yes, Lizzy. Since it is the night before your wedding, your mother and I have a very serious discussion that we must have with you.”
Mrs. Bennet anxiously giggled, “Yes, very serious. Let us go to your bedroom.”
Lizzy saw the nervousness of her mother and the amusement on her aunt’s face and guessed that the ladies wished to speak of the wedding night and consummation. Although she did not know the specifics of what was to happen the next night, she had some general ideas of it, especially noticing the excitement of William’s body while they spent many hours kissing and embracing each other.
She rolled her eyes but agreed and walked with them to her room, hoping that they would be upfront and honest about the experience. She wished with all of her heart that it would not be frightening but as enjoyable as it had been described in many of the novels she had read, even if they were written by men.
~*~
June 1810
The wedding was beautiful in its simplicity, which both brides had requested, and although Lizzy would have wished for a pirate captain to perform the ceremony on a ship instead, she relished every moment of officially becoming Mrs. Darcy.
Mr. Bennet discreetly wiped his eyes after walking his favourite daughter down the aisle, Mrs. Bennet nearly called for her smelling salts when Lizzy paused before proclaiming ‘I do’, and Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne thanked the heavens that they were alive to see their son marry the most wonderful girl they had known.
After farewells were completed, Lizzy waved to everyone from the carriage and departed with her husband to Darcy House for their wedding holiday.
“I think we should have stayed closer to Netherfield, Lizzy.” William groaned, as he kissed her neck and ear. “Richard warned me that the four-hour ride will be miserable but I did not believe him and I am now suffering for it.”
Lizzy giggled, “I do not fully understand you but I suppose that is one of the disadvantages of being a girl; I simply do not know how the male form functions.”
William kissed her lips with a smile, “I am infinitely glad you are a woman, Lizzy. I will need your help to keep my mind off tonight so let us converse about something else.” He sat up to take several breaths. “Do you think you would be interested in learning to swim so you could achieve the feat like Lord Byron had in Turkey?”
&nbs
p; “Oh, to swim across the sea like the mythical love story of Hero and Leander would be quite an accomplishment, but ladies must swim with a full set of dress on and I think I would drown within several feet. I wish I could swim in the nude. That would be most efficient.” Lizzy raised a brow in tease.
“Good lord!” William exclaimed as he moved himself across the other side of the carriage for distance. “Perhaps we should play chess; or sleep. I think I will try to sleep now.” He closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
Lizzy smiled as she reached over and sat on his lap while William wrapped his arms around her, “Husband, we are man and wife now, and there is no reason for you to restrain yourself. I have been told about what to expect and I do not see a reason for the delay to wait for nightfall. As soon as we arrive at Darcy House, you and I will have the privacy needed to join but for now, allow me to enjoy being Mrs. Darcy and we can teach each other how to appreciate being together.” She began to kiss his lips seductively and ran her fingers through his hair.
William gave up all pretence of separating himself from his beloved wife and they kissed and laughed for the next hours until they arrived in London. They immediately retreated to their rooms and were not seen for several days.
~*~
“I am glad we stayed extra days in Darcy House, Will. I was excited for our trip to commence but becoming your wife was more thrilling than I ever imagined possible.” Lizzy stated in their luxurious carriage, as she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss his ear. “You are wonderful, my love.”
William laughed as he caressed his wife’s back and arm, “I knew you would be an incredible partner for life but I must admit that your accomplishment as a horsewoman is most appreciated when we are alone, Mrs. Darcy.” He kissed her neck and décolletage, “It is most unfortunate that I cannot share your best accomplishment with anyone else.”
