“I never anticipated meeting the expectations not only of Society but also of your staff and your family and being compared to the previous mistress. I never thought of fulfilling my duties in a way that would make my husband’s late mother proud. But in the mistress’ chambers, I saw evidence of your mother’s life and was forcefully struck with the fact that she is no longer here.
“I could almost imagine her bustling about the room, but I realised I had no notion of what she looked like and recalled Georgiana mentioning there were miniatures of the family above the mantelpiece in this room. She said they were all done shortly before she was born.”
Darcy nodded, and Elizabeth reached to finger his mother’s portrait. “She was lovely.” Lady Anne Darcy was handsome, with good humour evident on her face. She was fair in colouring, like Georgiana.
“She was.” Looking at his feet, he added, “She had a very loving heart and was very gentle. My father always said it made her more beautiful.”
“I understand. It is why Jane is considered the handsomest lady in Hertfordshire, not just for her beauty but also for her heart.”
“Elizabeth, I do not mean to slight your sister, but you are truly the most beautiful woman, not just in Hertfordshire but the world. I have seen Miss Bennet’s gentle heart, but she seems to think the world only good. Your heart is all the more beautiful because you see people’s offenses and grievances and can find the grace and loving kindness to forgive them.”
Elizabeth blushed but said nothing. Next, she touched the portrait of Darcy. “And this is you.”
“It is.”
“You were quite young still.”
“Just over ten; Mother died when I was nearly twelve.”
“And this is your father?” Elizabeth pointed to a portrait of a man who looked very much like Darcy, though perhaps less serious.
Darcy stood a little straighter. “Yes, he was a most excellent man. You will soon understand when we go to Pemberley that many still consider him among the very best of landlords and masters.”
Elizabeth cocked her head at this. “You were nearly three and twenty when you became master?”
“Yes. Father had been in declining health for the last year. I was fortunate to have at least a little time to learn from him after completing university.”
“How old was Georgiana?”
“Nearly twelve.”
“It must have been very difficult for her; she is a very sensitive young lady.”
“Indeed. It was difficult to lose her only parent at such a tender age.”
“Yes, it hardly seems old enough to lose a beloved parent. You must have missed your mother terribly when you lost her at the same age.”
Darcy startled at first and swallowed, his eyes suspiciously shiny. He took a moment before replying, “Yes.”
He turned his face away, but Elizabeth tugged at his arm. “William, I do not wish to distress you, but should you wish to speak about your parents or your grief, I would like to listen.”
Applause from the other room alerted them to the amount of time they had spent in solitude.
“Although it is painful for me to speak of it, I appreciate your desire to know my grief. I will try to explain when we have more privacy. Perhaps while we walk at Vauxhall Gardens?”
“That sounds lovely.” She reached up and kissed his cheek before returning to the music room.
Darcy followed several minutes later.
*****
Friday, June 12, 1812
In the music room at Denchworth House, the ladies sat to hear a performance by Georgiana, who now only required minimal persuasion. Elizabeth sat on the settee with Darcy’s cousins, Emilia and Alice, and his aunt, Lady Denchworth. Mrs. Gardiner and Kitty conversed with the viscount’s wife, Lady Arlington, and Anne Fitzwilliam. Lady Catherine had returned to Rosings directly after her daughter’s wedding.
There had been no time to speak privately before the dinner, so the countess spoke to Elizabeth now. “Miss Bennet, it is truly a pleasure to meet the lady who has captured my nephew’s admiration.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Elizabeth spoke with impeccable civility.
“What is your family like, Miss Bennet?”
Smiling at Kitty and then at Emilia and Alice, she answered, “I am the second of five daughters but have no brothers. My father has an estate in Hertfordshire, but it is entailed on a distant cousin. He enjoys his library more than anything else. My sisters range from quiet and demure to enthusiastic and exuberant. My mother is affectionate…in her own way….” Elizabeth clearly did not know how to continue.
Lady Denchworth remarked, “It is well that your mother is so fervent in your care. Young ladies ought to have mothers.” She paused for a moment and added, “Of course, as a mother of two sons, I believe mothers do a great deal of good for young gentlemen as well!”
She leaned in close. “William was always quiet and shy, but after Anne passed, he had a difficult time. He was sent to school soon after her death, at the usual age, and always has lively friends but never learnt to really be comfortable in Society. If you have not seen that side of him, then I will forewarn you: he hates crowded rooms, especially if he knows no one.”
Elizabeth smiled knowingly. “I thank you for the knowledge, my lady.”
Her attempt at concealing her first unfavourable impressions of Darcy did not pass muster though, for the younger of the Fitzwilliam daughters, Alice, discerned something in Elizabeth’s expression.
“Miss Bennet,” said she, “tell us again where you met William?” She gave a conspiratorial glance to her sister.
“At a ball.”
The elder sister asked, “And did you dance together?”
Elizabeth let out a laugh, despite herself. “No, indeed. I understand he was in poor spirits that night.” She surreptitiously glanced at Georgiana, and Lady Eleanor understood exactly. She added, with a crooked grin, “And I cannot blame him; I understand he did not have his usual dance partners. For what lowly Hertfordshire lady could compare to the elegant fineness of Lady Emilia and Lady Alice Fitzwilliam?”
The girls tittered in amusement. Alice remarked, “Oh, Miss Bennet! You know just how to please a new acquaintance!”
Emilia nodded before turning serious. “I perceive you know about our cousin’s dislike for balls. I suspect he might even have said something ungentlemanly. If so, pray forgive him, for he is desperately in love with you and needs your gentle liveliness.”
“It is long forgot, I assure you. He soon improved on acquaintance, and I now recognise he is the very best of men. I am grateful to have gained his notice and admiration.”
Lady Denchworth affectionately patted Elizabeth’s knee. Alice, who seemed to have had enough seriousness, said, “As much as we love our cousin, and believe our brothers are honourable men, too, you will never convince Emilia that anyone other than Sir Anthony Dundas is the greatest of men.”
Emilia pretended to be rankled by the tease but soon cast a faraway look out the window and sighed. Elizabeth was pleased to note that her new cousins were not any more formidable than her sisters. She believed Darcy when he explained that his Fitzwilliam cousins, and presumably their friends, had no wishes towards him, but she was pleased to hear it confirmed.
The men soon entered the drawing room, and after several of the ladies—Elizabeth included—performed, the evening drew to a close.
As Elizabeth readied herself for bed and reflected on her time with the Fitzwilliam family, she believed she rather liked them. Lady Eleanor, as the countess had asked Elizabeth to call her before the evening was out, was an affectionate aunt to Georgiana and Darcy, and his female cousins were close to her age and temperament. The viscount’s wife, who followed Lady Eleanor’s suit and asked to be called Lady Diana, was quieter than the other ladies but friendly. The Earl was welcoming and kind, and the Viscount even appreciated her opinion on some of the debate currently in the House of Commons. The colonel was just as Elizabeth remem
bered him. His new wife, the former Miss de Bourgh, was quiet and seemingly still recovering from her extensive illness, however, she seemed sincere and genuine in her happiness for Elizabeth as an addition to the family.
Moreover, the Fitzwilliams welcomed her relatives warmly. Thanks to the presence of Kitty, whom all the ladies found agreeable, Georgiana was leaving timidity behind more and more. The earl talked to her uncle about business and trade, and Lady Eleanor seemed to truly appreciate her aunt’s genteel manner, which lacked guile and ambition.
If only Kitty had a letter from Lydia, Elizabeth could feel total complacency. She reminded herself that it had been less than a week, and Lydia never was the best correspondent. Additionally, Darcy had men watching her movements.
Chapter Nineteen
Saturday, June 13, 1812
“Oh, Wickham! Saunderson! Denny!” Mrs. Forster’s irritating voice filled the drawing room of her rented Brighton house. “Come, I will read you my latest letter from dear Lydia. I know you long to hear of our old acquaintances in Hertfordshire.”
Wickham was careful not to show just how welcome the news was. He pasted on his falsely interested expression and half-listened to his colonel’s ridiculous—and very young—wife prattle on. She faithfully repeated the absurd words of Lydia Bennet. At last, Mrs. Forster reached the section that concerned Wickham.
...My dear Harriet, how cruel you are to laugh at me in your latest letter! I most faithfully promise Lizzy is engaged to Mr. Darcy! And has been since Mr. Bingley’s ball, only they could not announce it due to Mr. Darcy’s hateful aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. But now that Miss de Bourgh is married, they are free to marry. They even agreed to a double wedding with Mr. Bingley and Jane in early August. Lizzy and Kitty have travelled to London to visit my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and rode in Mr. Darcy’s carriage. It was the grandest I have ever seen! My sisters, aunt, and uncle leave for their journey on Monday next and, after a few weeks, are to stay at Mr. Darcy’s estate for a week before returning together for the double wedding.
I have just arrived in Weymouth with Maria Lucas and her family...
Having heard everything he believed pertinent, Wickham began to plot. He did not hear the remainder of Lydia’s letter, in which she resolved to not only catch a rich husband but to inspire deep love in the man as well.
For a fleeting moment Wickham considered leaving immediately and attaching himself to Kitty instead of Lydia. Kitty was not as irritating, and her being in London near Darcy would enable his old “friend” quickly to patch things up and arrange for his income. On the other hand, there was such a thing as being too near Darcy while planning an elopement, something he certainly knew first hand. Additionally, he knew Lydia was fickle and vain enough to enjoy anyone’s attentions. She would not live her life clinging to his side in hopes of his continued affection after they had been married awhile, allowing Wickham his diversions.
He also considered waiting until Darcy married before eloping with Lydia. It would be unlike Darcy to jilt a woman, especially one he loved, but there was always the possibility; the man did have his pride. But seducing a woman from her parents’ home was a hazardous plan and much more likely to go wrong than it was for Darcy to abandon Elizabeth. Additionally, Weymouth may contain stupid men who desire a silly young wife. It would not be impossible for her to make a match, or more likely, find herself in a compromising position with some other poor sap. Finally, his regiment would be relocated for the winter and might be even further from Lydia. He had the money for a trip currently; now was the time to act!
Wickham weighed his options about revealing the elopement. Lady Catherine had been a bit late in her payment to him. It did not arrive until after he reached Brighton, but it was more than enough to travel to Weymouth, briefly court Lydia, and then elope. Wickham wavered whether actually to travel to Scotland and marry there, or simply allow the elopement to become public knowledge and “hide” in London until Darcy demanded he marry the girl.
The best option was to plan for both. He would wait until Darcy left for Pemberley. Wickham was certain Darcy would return to his estate after Elizabeth left Town. Then he would be even further removed from Wickham and could not interfere with the elopement.
He and Lydia would then begin to travel to Scotland, dropping clues of their route northward and staying a night or two in London. Darcy might even be desperate enough to concede to outrageous demands.
If Darcy apprehended them on the way, he would pay for the wedding. If not, Wickham would marry Lydia in Gretna Green and present it as a fait accompli. Darcy could not avoid the connection now, when his engagement to Elizabeth was public. Wickham believed he could make Darcy purchase an estate for him, rather than have family tainted in a profession. Better still, he might gain Darcy ancestral land.
Everything was coming together well. It was time to ask leave to visit his “dying grandmother” who lived in Newcastle. In the likely event his travels were reported to others, everything would point to him being in the very opposite direction of Weymouth, thus disguising his intentions to Darcy. In the very real chance Mrs. Forster gossiped to Lydia about his whereabouts, he would appear all the more besotted if he arranged all this just as a means of meeting Lydia again. Wickham could almost feel his pocketbook grow heavy with the Darcy cash he was certain would soon be his.
*****
Darcy welcomed his cousin into his library and rang for coffee.
“How do you find married life?”
A slow grin spread across Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face. “In all the years I spent fantasizing what it would be like to have Anne for my wife, the reality is even better. You will soon know.”
Darcy’s grin rivalled his cousin’s, and he had to laugh at himself. If not for the difference in colouring, he might be mistaken for Bingley. His cousin interrupted his thoughts.
“I was glad to see that you and Miss Elizabeth sorted everything out. It was instantly obvious to everyone that she cares for you immensely.”
Darcy puffed out his chest with pride and grinned again. “More than cares. She has confessed her love for me, Richard. It is all the more precious after those long weeks of worry. Lady Catherine’s plots are behind us, and we must only wait out Wickham, and all shall be well.”
“What is your plan?”
“The brief version I gave Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet was simply to allow Miss Lydia to go to Weymouth with the Lucases and see if Wickham follows. I chose not to tell them Lady Catherine had received a demand from him for money, claiming he has already seduced Miss Lydia. Elizabeth soon assuaged any of those fears; it seems the girl is now determined to make a match in the first circles.
“Elizabeth also had a very frank conversation with her sisters before leaving Hertfordshire regarding Wickham and men like him. I think Miss Lydia would not welcome his attentions, and I believe Miss Kitty would alert us if Miss Lydia reported seeing Wickham.
“Our aunt sent the payment, as we agreed. There is little doubt he can afford to travel to Weymouth. Although I have men watching Miss Lydia’s movements in Weymouth, I have realised I did not consider all possibilities.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face showed his surprise at his cousin’s unusual lack of foresight. “What do you mean?”
“It is not enough to merely foil the elopement and detain Wickham. My hope was that I might offer Wickham transportation instead of him facing charges of desertion. But he may ask for official leave.”
Fitzwilliam waved his hands. “That is of little difference. If we apprehend him in the middle of attempting an elopement, it is obvious enough he plans to desert.”
“I would rather not wait until they are on the road to intercept him. In addition to wanting to avoid a chase, it would be difficult to preserve Miss Lydia’s reputation.”
“We cannot seize the man if there is a possibility he has permission to be there.”
“Precisely. We need to be able to prove he had no plans to return to his regiment without
allowing him actually to leave with Miss Lydia.”
“There is no hope of him corresponding with the girl, even secretly?”
“No. Wickham must not understand how low he is regarded in any of the Bennet girls’ esteem, even before Elizabeth spoke with her sisters. He courted Georgiana for nearly two weeks before proposing an elopement. Miss Lydia is ridiculous and a flirt, but he cannot expect her to agree to an elopement upon sight.”
They sat in silence, each pondering how Wickham would attempt the elopement. Eventually, it was time for Darcy to dress for the engagement at Vauxhall Gardens.
*****
Darcy was pleased with how the evening progressed. Although they stood in line for above an hour before being admitted, and the whole grounds were more crowded than he would have preferred, the ladies were obviously delighted, and Mr. Gardiner was enjoyable company. The concert was superb. Darcy was pleased to see how much Elizabeth enjoyed the performance. The fireworks show followed, and although Elizabeth usually visited the Gardens if they were open during her stays in London, she had never before seen a fireworks display. She marvelled in unrestrained fascination, and Darcy was even more enchanted.
Now he walked with her on his arm on the very aptly named, and suspiciously poorly lit, Lovers’ Walk. The path was quite narrow, and Elizabeth’s entire side brushed against his, thrilling him. Darcy found himself cataloguing paths he knew at Pemberley with similar qualities. Elizabeth blushed each time their bodies met, but if the change in her breathing was any indication, she was nearly as affected as he.
After some companionable silence, he addressed her. “I should like to speak of my parents, Elizabeth.”
Compromising Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Anthology Page 23
