by Linda Wells
The smile instantly left Darcy’s face and he fixed a burning glare upon his cousin. “Do not even think of it Richard, nobody touches my Elizabeth again.”
Richard clapped his shoulder. “Well done, Darcy. I would not think of it.”
“HENRY, WHEN should we leave for Hertfordshire?” Lady Matlock asked her husband as she finished dressing for the day. She nodded to her maid who curtsied and departed.
Lord Matlock wandered into her dressing room while fiddling with his pocket watch and drew his brows together as he concentrated. “I am not sure. Richard’s letter gave no timeframe for the wedding, well, he said by the end of the month, but no actual date has been set as far as he knew.”
Lady Matlock stood and looked out the window at the falling snow, then back at her husband. “I am afraid winter is setting in early this year. I do hope we have some definite news soon, or we may be unable to attend at all.”
He glanced out at the weather. “It is not that bad, this early snow is always light.” He settled onto a chair before a large mirror and watched her examine her appearance. “You know, Miss Elizabeth will not have time to prepare a proper trousseau.”
“And when have you ever concerned yourself with ladies’ clothing?” She asked in surprise.
He cleared his throat. “I will have you know, my dear, that I am always concerned with the clothing of one lady in particular.”
“Henry!” She admonished then smiled. “Thank you, dear.” He smiled back. “You do make a good point. She will need many things that the local dressmakers can not possibly provide. I wonder if they plan to go to London after the wedding, and what they will do with Georgiana. Richard said that she is quite taken with her future sister.”
“I believe that Richard is quite taken with her as well.” Lord Matlock muttered.
She spun around to face her husband. “What do you mean?”
He regretted it instantly. “Oh, it is nothing, I just have never heard him heap praise upon a woman before … especially one that he was seemingly determined to reject.”
“Perhaps that is why he is praising her so passionately now Henry, to make up for his lack of faith in Darcy’s choice.”
Lord Matlock looked down at the fingers templed over his stomach. “Yes, perhaps.” The parents exchanged looks and sighed. “Well, I suppose we can do nothing but wait for the next letter to determine when we will depart.”
“I am pleased that you have come around Henry, and that you have accepted Miss Elizabeth.”
He glanced up at her. “I am not accepting her so much as I am supporting Darcy. I want him happy, and Richard says that this woman is genuine, and exactly as Darcy proclaimed. I accept her for his sake.”
“But you still must meet her before you will truly believe she is what you have heard.” She raised her brow and smiled, knowing her husband’s thinking.
Nodding, he smiled, seeing her amusement. “Do not tell me that you feel differently.”
“I trust Richard’s judgement, and I will help her all that I can. She will need our support. The ton will not be kind.”
“He has not chosen an easy path back to society.” Lord Matlock sighed.
“He is his own man, Henry.” Lady Matlock finished her hair and looked at him expectantly. He stood and held his arm out to escort her down to the breakfast room.
They arrived to see James already eating and looking through the post. “Father, I see that you have a letter from Richard and one from Aunt Catherine.” He smirked. “Well which will you choose to open first, the bad news or the worse news?”
Lord Matlock sat and watched as a servant hurried to pour his tea. “And which exactly is Richard’s?”
“I would say his is the bad news, more details on this foolish match of Darcy’s.”
His father shook his head. “You remain unconvinced, James? Surely you trust your brother’s judgement?”
He laughed. “I trust him to be capable of having his head turned by a pretty girl.”
“It is well that your brother’s troops have more faith in his judgement than you do, James, else how many of them would no longer be living?” Lord Matlock’s eyes bore into his eldest son’s and he was satisfied when he looked away. Sighing he took up his sister’s letter and read. His eyes rolled.
“What is it, Henry?”
“Catherine insists that the dower’s house is insufficient, and that we must go to the lawyers to change the will so that she can remain at Rosings.” He looked up at his wife over the letter. “That; will not happen.” He looked back down and read. “Oh no, she is back on her tear over Darcy marrying Anne. I swear, she must have some sort of ailment in her mind, how many times must she be told that he will not marry her? That boy had better take his bride soon so that we can be spared of this nonsense permanently.”
“I am confident that Darcy would agree with that proposition. Perhaps Richard’s letter brings us news of the date.” Lady Matlock glanced at the other letter and looked at her husband pointedly.
He laughed. “Yes, dear, I will open it.” He took a sip of tea then broke the seal of Richard’s letter. He read silently, but it was clear to his family that the news was not just bad, but horrific. His face grew red and his fist pounded down on the table. “Good Lord! Has Satan himself come to live in Hertfordshire?” He read it over again and sat back in his chair, shaking his head. “Can not anything go well for this poor man?”
“Henry, what is it?” Lady Matlock demanded. He looked up and passed her the letter. “It will be easier this way.”
She read it and her mouth dropped open. “Oh, poor Darcy, and Georgiana, and Miss Elizabeth … and Richard killed him, well good for him!”
James had waited long enough and snatched the letter from his mother and took in the news. “My God, Wickham!” He turned to his father. “I never understood why Uncle George fawned over him, and look what it all came to!”
“Should we go there?” Lady Matlock asked.
“No, no, what good could we do? Besides, this was two days ago … who knows where things stand now? Hopefully he will be writing daily, so we can expect another letter tomorrow.” He stood up and stared out at the swirling snow. “If the roads are good.” He picked up a muffin and strode out of the room.
James looked at his mother. “Where is he going?”
“I imagine that he is writing to Darcy and Richard.” James hastily finished his meal and was out the door after his father. Lady Matlock sat back and considered her son’s letter. She decided that Darcy would likely want to take Georgiana home to Pemberley as soon as possible, and that was where they should go to meet them. She stood up and went to write a note to Mrs. Reynolds, then would begin their packing.
ON THE THIRD DAY, Elizabeth slowly walked into breakfast with the use of her grandmother’s cane. The bruise on her face had faded slightly, and the edges had taken on a yellow tinge. The bruises on her neck from Darcy’s lovemaking were also fading, but those she looked upon with great affection. When she spied them that first morning; she remembered spinning around to glare at him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her from behind and regarded their reflection in the glass.
“I have wanted to mark you as mine for so long, Lizzy, and I thought that nobody would notice …”
“William!” She whispered furiously.
He cast his eyes down apologetically. “I was simply doing something worthwhile in an adverse situation.” His eyes met hers again and she smiled as he continued. “You seemed to enjoy it.”
Her mouth opened with a retort, and closed, then she caressed the bruises she had left on his neck. “I did, and I hope very much to have it repeated often.” Darcy growled and turned her around to hold her possessively. “That, I can guarantee.”
Elizabeth startled from her recollection with her father’s voice. “It is good to see you smiling, Lizzy. Are you feeling better?”
She looked at him and saw his worry. “Yes Papa, a little better every day. Perhaps we can have
our talk this morning. William will be occupied seeing his sister and cousin off, and will not be able to visit until this afternoon.”
“Of course, come to my bookroom after you have eaten.” He stood and folded his paper, then patted her shoulder. “It is good to see your improvement.” He left the room and she watched him go.
She closed her eyes and her thoughts turned to her visit to Netherfield the day before when she accompanied Georgiana, William, and Mrs. Annesley back. Bingley returned on Darcy’s horse, but only after he had a little more time to visit with Jane. She remembered entering the sitting room on William’s arm and Caroline coming to a dead stop as she rushed forward to greet him. Her hand came to her mouth as she surveyed their faces, then stifling a cry, she flew from the room. Louisa watched her go and nodded with satisfaction, and later told Elizabeth privately that she was pleased that her sister could see in person the result of her foolish, jealous action.
“My dear cousin, I hope that your health has improved.” She opened her eyes to see Mr. Collins had taken a seat by her side.
“Oh, Mr. Collins, I did not hear your entrance. Forgive me. Yes, I am feeling better.” She noticed that they were alone and wondered where the rest of her sisters were.
“That is good news indeed.” He eyed her bruises speculatively. “I understand that Mr. Bennet has agreed that the wedding plans will continue with Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth knew of Mr. Collins’ influence on her father from William, and had not forgiven his interference, and even wondered at his motivation.
She mustered up her ability to remain civil. “Yes, they will. We will wed in ten days. Will you still be here sir, or will you have returned to Hunsford by then? Forgive me for not remembering your schedule.”
“Ah, it is so good of you to ask me to your nuptials, however, no, I must return to my duties and will be leaving for my humble abode in only five days.” He stopped and eyed her. “Miss Elizabeth, are you quite certain that you wish to marry Mr. Darcy?”
She fixed him with a glare. “And why would I not be?”
“Well, it is certainly a fine, prudent match for you, but now that you have been ruined…”
“Mr. Collins!”
“I am only concerned over the effect of such a bride upon his reputation, after all, his own sister …”
“Mr. Collins!”
“I am also quite worried of the reaction of my noble patroness to this news. She was gravely disappointed when her nephew rejected her lovely daughter, and I informed her in my letter that he was engaged to marry my own cousin, why I can only imagine her surprise.”
“Sir, what is the point of this?”
“Oh, I received an express from Lady Catherine yesterday; you can expect a visit from her.”
“A visit? For what purpose?” She had heard enough of this woman to know that a visit from her would not be an invitation for tea.
“Why, to dissuade you, of course!” He looked at her as if that was the most natural act in the world. “Now, when you are free of this engagement, you will be in need of a suitor to repair your reputation, so I do believe that a man of the cloth would be ideal in such an endeavour! And no doubt Lady Catherine would approve of such a sacrifice on my part.” His eyes passed over her form with appreciation; he could excuse her fall to gain such a comely wife.
“I beg your pardon?”
She stared at him as he bobbed his head and smiled knowingly. “Even Mary Magdalene was redeemed, Cousin Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stood and stared at him. “Mr. Collins! I take great offence to your implication, and I assure you, Mr. Darcy and my father will as well! Excuse me, sir!” She could not leave him fast enough and was soon knocking on the bookroom door. She heard her father’s call and entered, closing the door with a loud snap. Mr. Bennet removed his reading glasses and regarded her flushed face. “Lizzy, what on earth has happened?”
“That obsequious toad has proposed to me!” She wrapped her arms around herself and began pacing the room the best she could with her limp. “He had the gall to imply that I am RUINED and compared me to a … I can not even say it!” She fumed and turned to her father. “Why, why must we put up with him a moment longer? Mary does not want him, and clearly Kitty and Lydia are not suited to him, can we not send him on his way?”
Mr. Bennet smiled, seeing his daughter’s spirit. “I am afraid that we must continue to host him a few more days, unless he finds another suitable candidate for his hand in the village. Have you no friends in search of a mate?”
“I would not wish him on my worst enemy!” She stopped pacing and stared out the window, seeing Lady Lucas and Charlotte approaching the house. “Well, then again …”
“What is it?” Mr. Bennet joined her at the window. “Miss Lucas?” He smiled down at her. “I noticed a falling out between you, Lizzy, but I did not realize it had gone quite that far.”
Elizabeth glanced up at him and smiled. “I suppose not. Well, I will leave them to meet and see what comes of it.” She sighed and looked at him. “I know that I should go speak with them, but …”
“You are waiting for an explanation of our family’s scandal.” He nodded and took his seat behind the desk. She sat down and watched him close his eyes. “Sarah, your aunt’s name is Sarah Bennet, although she does not go by that name. She calls herself Douglass now.”
“To protect the family name?” She saw his face become pained.
“No, she is married, although it has been so long now … a lifetime, just over Jane’s lifetime.” He opened his eyes. “She is much like you, Lizzy. I suppose that is one of the reasons you are my favourite child.”
He proceeded to tell her the story of his childhood, and growing up in a very happy home. He was just graduated from Cambridge when the news that Sarah was with child by the stable hand came out. “I thought the gossip was horrible until I witnessed what happened with you. I tried to shield you from it by, well, you know what I did, and I am sure that Darcy told you of our conversation. I am very sorry. I like Darcy very much; I have come to regard him as a son. I could not have wished you to find a finer man. If I had fathered a son, I could only wish that he would be so admirable.”
“Then why would you wish to end our engagement, especially after the day we had just experienced?”
“I thought I was protecting you …” He sighed at her expression of disbelief. “I know my faults Lizzy, I am a terrible father, your sisters are unchecked, your mother is acutely aware of my lost love, and has dealt with it her own way. It was not a desired marriage.”
“Have you ever even tried to appreciate her? Even if you were forced to marry, it is for your lifetime. Was there ever a time when you made an attempt at some felicity?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head, allowing her interrogation of his behaviour. “No child. The first years I was too upset over losing … and then with you girls coming, life settled into a routine. She had her life, and I had mine.” He smiled sadly. “But I am happy for you, Lizzy. You should know that Darcy has some darkness in his past. I think that a bright girl like you will be able to coax him out.”
“I believe that I already have.” She just did not have the strength to discuss this further, it was a fruitless pursuit, her respect for her father had been deeply damaged. “Papa, I would like to write to my aunt. Do you think that she would like to hear from me?”
His eyes grew bright. “She would, she would be delighted. She knows all about you.” He quickly wrote her address and handed it to Elizabeth.
“Thank you.” She stood and took the paper and read the direction. “What became of the child?”
He sighed. “The girl died at birth, if the facts of the ruin were not so well known, perhaps Sarah could have been brought back home…” His voice trailed off.
“Does she have other children?”
“Yes, two boys and a girl. Her eldest son is just joining his father in their business. He is a brewer, quite successful from what she tells me.”
Elizabeth’s bro
ws rose. “Well it seems that she found happiness in the end. I hope that Georgiana might find the same one day.” She studied the paper in her hand then looked back at her father. “I believe my sisters would like to know of her as well.” She looked at him pointedly.
He nodded and looked down. “I will speak to Jane and Mary first.”
Elizabeth turned and left the room, and walked down the hall to see the Lucas’. They were the first callers since the ladies on the first day. She drew breath and entered the room, not knowing what to expect. Charlotte stood immediately and took her hands. “Oh Eliza, I am so sorry, are you well?” She led her to a sofa and looked at her anxiously. Lady Lucas sat next to her. “John has refused to speak any details of what happened. He said that a gentleman does not discuss such things. He only assured us that you were well and that Mr. Darcy was taking exceptional care of you. He praised him without hesitation, and called your future cousin an extraordinary leader of men. I understand that they called on him yesterday and he was quite impressed with what they had to say.”
“Mr. Lucas said these things? Of Mr. Darcy?” She looked at them both then met Jane’s surprised gaze.
“Yes Eliza, he went throughout Meryton last night, telling all he met how extraordinary Mr. Darcy is.”
“Forgive me Charlotte, but that is quite a change.” She did not answer as Mrs. Bennet appeared with Mr. Collins, who stared unhappily at Elizabeth. Introductions were made, and Mrs. Bennet lamented in a rather transparently false way that Mr. Collins had hoped to make a match with one of her daughters but apparently none of them suited. Elizabeth held her tongue and watched in fascination as Charlotte obviously recognized the opportunity and latched onto it with a fervour previously unseen. Taking a seat next to the parson, she expressed great interest in his conversation. Lady Lucas was happy to help them along, and invited him to dinner that very night.
“If you are certain Mrs. Bennet, I do not wish to deprive your family of my company and counsel at this difficult time.” Again he stared at Elizabeth who met his gaze with indifference clear in her expression. He turned his eyes to Charlotte’s eager face and he looked her up and down, nodding.
