by Jann Rowland
“Do not fret over your decision, Jane,” said she. “It is understandable that you would not wish for your mother to be here, given her behavior.”
“I know,” said Jane, though Elizabeth had to strain to hear her. “I simply never wished it to be this way. I tried to explain everything to my mother, but she was so set in her beliefs that she would not be moved. She would persist in blaming Elizabeth for all our family’s misfortunes regardless of anything I said.”
“She has been thus ever since I have known her. It is not something you can change. You are doing the best thing for your happiness. If your mother wishes to be part of your life, then she will amend her ways.”
It was wise advice, though Elizabeth knew that it did not apply to her. While Elizabeth was not possessed of a temper which was disposed toward implacable resentment, there was too much between them for an accord to ever be reached, even should her mother repent her behavior. Elizabeth was quite resigned to the fact that Mrs. Bennet would never be in her life—Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were her parents in every way that signified. She could not ask for better.
“Perhaps instead of thinking of my mother,” said Elizabeth with a mischievous grin, “you should think of your husband. For you shall be marrying a very handsome man on the morrow. I should think that he would keep your attention on the night before your wedding.”
“I believe that I am not the only one marrying a handsome man,” countered Jane, turning Elizabeth’s teasing back on her.
“Oh, heavens,” exclaimed Aunt Gardiner. “He is a handsome man indeed!”
Both sisters looked on their aunt in shock, causing the older woman to laugh. “Yes, girls, I am quite happily married, but I also have eyes, and without any disrespect meant toward your excellent and handsome Mr. Bingley, Jane, I must say that Mr. Darcy is quite the most physically attractive man I have ever laid eyes upon.” Mrs. Gardiner’s teasing gaze turned upon Elizabeth. “Do you not agree, Lizzy, my dear?”
Cheeks aflame, Elizabeth could only nod at her aunt’s assertion. Mr. Darcy was indeed a fine-looking man, and Elizabeth could hardly be insensible to that fact.
“I believe that our Lizzy is quite busy contemplating the fine features of the man to whom she will soon be married,” said Mrs. Gardiner in a tone full of mirth.
“It appears to be the case,” replied Jane with a giggle.
But Elizabeth did not mind their gentle teasing in the slightest. For it was nothing less than the truth, and by her reckoning, she was a very lucky young woman.
Jane’s wedding was everything she had ever wanted, though Elizabeth could tell that it was tinged with sadness at the absence of the rest of the Bennets. But such a thing was for the best, and everyone in attendance was glad for the happy couple.
The weeks following were busy ones for Elizabeth. She saw Mr. Darcy almost daily, sometimes in the company of his sister or cousins—or, on occasion, his aunt and uncle—and sometimes alone. Elizabeth relished those times when she could be alone with him, whether it was when they spoke in the parlor at the Gardiners’ home, when they walked in the park, or when Elizabeth visited Darcy house. And though they were not alone often, their families seemed to understand their desire for privacy and allow them a few precious moments when possible.
During that time, Elizabeth found herself gradually introduced to the close society in which Mr. Darcy inhabited. There were plenty of events, as the season was just getting under way, and Elizabeth found that she could well enjoy them, though at times it seemed that she was being suffocated. For it was not long before she began to be the object of interest to many. Mr. Darcy, being one of the most eligible men in the kingdom, was well-known, and moreover, he was known not to pay overt attention to any young woman. Thus, when he opened the first ball Elizabeth attended in the New Year dancing with her, it caused quite a stir.
As the first strains of music washed over the assembled dancers, Elizabeth, her eyes caught by Mr. Darcy’s, began moving in the steps of the dance. It seemed as if all awareness of any extraneous considerations were washed away in that moment.
The instant she had stepped into the house, Elizabeth was caught by the finery displayed there, which was quite beyond anything Elizabeth had ever seen before. The ball was being given by the Marquess of Ainesbury, a man who had attended Cambridge with Mr. Darcy and who had recently been married himself. When introduced to the man, Elizabeth had been impressed by the fact that he was quite unassuming despite his high social position. His wife, the daughter of another prominent noble, was much the same, and she greeted Elizabeth—and Mr. and Mrs. Bingley—with kindness and civility, making them feel quite welcome.
To their side, Jane was dancing with Mr. Bingley, looking resplendent in her beautiful dress and as radiant as a new bride ought. The crush of the room was such as Elizabeth had never before seen in any of the events she had attended with the Gardiners in the past.
“Should I feel slighted?” the sound of her betrothed’s voice broke through Elizabeth’s thoughts.
She smiled at him and said, “For what, sir?”
“The fact that I do not seem to be capable of holding your attention, my dear,” replied he. “We have been dancing these past fifteen minutes at least, and you have not said a word to me.”
“I was merely thinking. It seems like nothing more than a dream. I had never thought I would be attending a ball such as this, sir, and I am almost having to pinch myself to ensure that I am not asleep.”
Mr. Darcy smiled. “I assure you that you are not, Elizabeth. This will be your future, so you had best become accustomed to it.”
“I believe that will not be a problem. Though we have spoken of my aversion to certain parts of society, there are times when I do enjoy dancing and social events.”
“That is well, Miss Bennet, as I shall likely require you to socialize enough for both of us.”
Elizabeth favored him with an arch glance. “I have seen you socialize, sir. Though perhaps you prefer quiet activities, you are certainly not devoid of the social graces.”
“Devoid of them, no. But I certainly do not enjoy them.”
Elizabeth smiled at him, and then they were separated by the steps of the dance. It was then that Elizabeth noticed that there were many people looking at her and whispering among themselves. It was disconcerting, as she was certain she had never been the object of such interest before.
By the time she had worked her way back around to Mr. Darcy, he was watching her, the slightest hint of a smile lifting up the corners of his mouth. Elizabeth attempted a bland look in response, but given the way his smile broadened, she felt that she was unsuccessful.
“This is another part of life which you will be required to become accustomed to, assuming you are still intent upon meeting me at the altar, Miss Bennet.”
Raising an eyebrow, Elizabeth said, “Are you perhaps a little too impressed with your situation?”
“On the contrary,” said he, “I believe that this evening’s reaction is understated, if anything. Most of those in attendance tonight are either friends or people with whom I at least share a cordial acquaintance.
“Besides, the announcement of our upcoming marriage will appear in the papers tomorrow. Once it becomes common knowledge, I expect that the interest in you will become all that much more intense.”
Elizabeth digested this in silence as the dance took her away from her betrothed. She had known from the start that Mr. Darcy inhabited a position of much wealth and influence in society, but she had never expected such attention. For a moment, the thought of it caused fear to well up within her, particularly due to the thought that someone might learn of her annulment and spread the story to the gossips of society.
But no sooner had the fear manifested itself than Elizabeth squared her shoulders and put it behind her. She had always prided herself in her courage, and she would not allow apprehension to have sway over her at the thought of a certain amount of attention.
“There is your
courage,” said Mr. Darcy with a smile when they came together again. “Do not let others bother you. We will weather whatever storms come our way.”
And weather the storm, they did. As Mr. Darcy had predicted, the announcement the following day unleashed a flurry of interest which did not subside for some time. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy attended several more events before their wedding, and as he had said, the gawkers and rumor-mongers of society were very much in evidence, and the guest lists of those events were dominated by those with whom he was not well-acquainted.
But they held up under the weight of the scrutiny with all the poise and grace they possessed, and Elizabeth had cause to notice more than one smile which Mr. Darcy attempted to hide when she made some witty comment to deflect whatever impertinent question was directed her way. She felt that she had earned a measure of respect as time passed, though she sensed that she would never be accepted by the true snobs of society.
Two additional things became apparent to her as time wore on. The first was that Mr. Darcy had, if anything, been understating his distaste for society. Many a time, she noticed a sudden clenching of his jaw or a tight-lipped smile in response to a particularly impertinent comment. He was never overtly rude or unapproachable, but he often sported a scowl, and when she mentioned it to him, he invariably was surprised, not understanding how forbidding his expression would turn when he became impatient with others.
The second item which became clear to Elizabeth very quickly was that many in society, when hearing that they were to be married so quickly, suspected a particular reason for such unseemly haste.
“I expected such a response,” said Mr. Darcy after the first time it had been pointed out that there were few reasons why a couple would marry so quickly. “The gossips wish for such salacious happenings, as it gives them something to titter over with their friends.”
But Elizabeth could tell that even though he had expected it, he still was not amused. Thus, she felt that it was incumbent upon her to laugh him from his irritation.
“Then we have nothing to fear, Mr. Darcy,” said she in a light tone of voice.
“How so?”
“Why, when I do not show signs of increasing soon after we are wed, we shall have the pleasure of laughing at those who believe such ridiculous things.”
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Darcy as he stroked his chin. “But if it happens soon after our marriage, there will still be rumors.”
“Then perhaps we should abstain for some time after our marriage so as to prove to all and sundry that nothing inappropriate has occurred between us.”
Her words were spoken in a light and airy tone, but Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy out of the corner of her eye, wondering how he would take this teasing. The answer was not anything she would have expected.
“In that case, Mrs. Darcy,” said he, as his smoldering eyes bored into hers, “you will almost certainly be required to live at the family property in Northumberland. Otherwise, I doubt I will be able to restrain myself long enough to offer any kind of proof.”
The fire in his eyes almost left Elizabeth breathless. Needless to say, she did not tease him on the subject again.
The one truly unfortunate result of the publishing of their engagement was that it drew strong attention from an unwelcome corner. The consequences of such attention were swift, and the resulting scene was one which displayed, if any doubt about such existed, that the highly born were just as capable of poor behavior as anyone else.
Two days after the engagement had been made public, Elizabeth sat in the largest sitting room in Darcy house, visiting with Georgiana and Anne, chatting as if they had known one another for many years. Anne was making great improvement under the care of the doctor that the earl had procured for her sake, and though she might never be of robust constitution, she had told Elizabeth that she was feeling much better than she had in many years.
It was nearing time for Elizabeth to return to her uncle’s house when the sound of shouting could be heard from outside the closed door, followed by the sound of footsteps and the staccato tapping of a cane striking against the floor in agitation. Elizabeth only had a moment to consider who the likely intruder was when the door was forcibly wrenched open with such vigor that it crashed against the wall behind it. There in the doorway stood the large form of Mr. Darcy’s least favorite aunt, her displeasure present for all to see.
“You!” exclaimed the lady, her eyes narrowing in fury. “Be gone at once and never darken the halls of this house again!”
The outright rudeness in the lady’s imperious demands did far more to bolster Elizabeth’s courage than anything else she could have imagined, and Elizabeth stood and glared at the lady, injecting a little imperiousness of her own into her manner.
“I shall not,” decreed Elizabeth. “I was invited here by the master of the house himself, and as I shall soon be its mistress, I have every right in the world to be here.”
“The right!” screeched the lady. “How dare you speak of rights when you have been the cause of such hardship and grief!”
“I know not of what you speak,” replied Elizabeth, her voice chilly as a winter’s breeze. “But you shall not come into this home and wail and yell your demands and expect all within hearing to fall down in obeisance.”
A bitter scowl fell over the lady’s face, and she stalked forward. “So it is true. You seek to impose yourself upon my nephew in a brazen manner. But I suppose, considering your performance while in Kent, that nothing better can be expected from you.”
“If you refer to the incident with your parson, then you must know it was not my doing. I would never have gone to Kent if I had been given any choice in the matter.”
“He is no longer my parson! And it is due to your actions that a new and much less suitable man has been forced upon me by the church. The living is mine to bestow upon whom I see fit, yet my hand has been forced due to their refusal to send me appropriate candidates. It is my right to know the doings of the parish, yet the man who is currently installed refuses to answer my questions thereon!”
From Lady Catherine’s words, it was clear that Mr. Collins had been replaced by a man of some sense. Knowing some of the parishioners as Elizabeth did, she could only be glad that the yoke of Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine had been lightened to some degree.
“If he has been removed, then so much the better.”
Lady Catherine gathered herself for a retort, only to be interrupted by her daughter. “You mean you are not able to meddle in their lives, mother,” said Anne as she stood from where she had been seated beside Georgiana. “I believe we all must applaud that development.”
“I will not be spoken to in such a manner!” snapped Lady Catherine, turning her glare upon her daughter. “You will be seated and be silent until I have dealt with this upstart. Then you will return to my brother’s house and pack your belongings, as we shall be returning to Rosings forthwith.”
“I will not,” was Anne’s determined reply. Despite Anne’s blooming in the past weeks, everyone appeared surprised at her forthrightness and determination to stand up to her mother, but it was Lady Catherine who was shocked the most. That shock, however, quickly gave way to the lady’s customary anger.
“I see the behavior of this woman,” Lady Catherine gestured with her cane at Elizabeth, “has influenced you as well, Anne. And I suppose Georgiana, who was always meek as a mouse, has begun to emulate her as well?”
Though Elizabeth thought that Georgiana would remain silent, a spasm of a glare suddenly came over the girl’s face, and she stood slowly. Elizabeth was proud of her, though her defiance was understated, as she was still a very young girl. A young girl faced by a relation who had terrorized her all her life.
“I am happy to emulate Elizabeth,” said Georgiana, her voice shaking only slightly. “She is confident, and she is to be my sister. I am happy my brother has found someone he loves so dearly.”
“Love has nothing to do with it,” exclaimed Lady Cat
herine. “And I assure you that all my nephew feels for this trollop is a slight infatuation. He may use her and be done with her—it matters not.”
Gasping, Elizabeth stared at Lady Catherine as though she had been slapped. “I wonder that a woman who is so proud of her breeding could make such disgusting statements in polite company.”
“I do not consider your company polite.”
“Then perhaps you should leave. I assure you that I shall not.”
Lady Catherine waved her cane around furiously. “I shall not be spoken to in such a manner—and certainly not in the house of my sister’s children. Miss Bennet, you shall leave immediately and not return.”
“No, she shall not, mother!” A brief glance in Anne’s direction showed her to be as unmovable as Lady Catherine. “Elizabeth will do no such unreasonable thing.
“You have wished for me to marry my cousin for many years,” continued Anne, the emotion in her voice almost constricting Elizabeth’s heart. “And you have wanted this without heeding anything but your own selfish desires. But I will tell you once and for all that I am happy that Darcy and Elizabeth have found one another. They are ‘formed for each other,’ as you are so fond of saying. I can only hope that one day I might find a man who loves me as much as Darcy loves Elizabeth.”
“I suggest you leave, Lady Catherine,” said Elizabeth. “No one will bow to your demands here.”
“No one will indeed.”
The sound of a deep male voice startled each of the four women, none of whom had noticed the arrival of the master of the house, who was accompanied by his cousin the colonel. Mr. Darcy’s displeasure was almost a force of nature, and Elizabeth could imagine winds whipping around him, stirred up by his great displeasure, as he stalked into the room and glared at Lady Catherine. He stopped briefly to assure for himself that the ladies were unharmed, and he came to a halt beside Elizabeth, taking her hand in his and kissing it before placing it in the crook of his arm.
