by P. O. Dixon
“You are hell-bent on omitting one crucial fact, Victoria. I do not love you—not in the manner you suggest.”
“But I love you and, given that your chances with her are ruined, why should you not love me?”
“Pray answer the question, did we or did we not?”
She exhaled a frustrated breath. “No, we did not—not actually, but I spent more than one night in your bed, which must be the same thing in the eyes of the world.”
Darcy’s mouth gaped. He colored, but he would not be silent. “I beg to differ! I will not relinquish my own hopes and dreams because of your selfish recklessness. You have no one to blame but yourself for your own actions. Any damage to your reputation as a consequence of your duplicity is indeed your misfortune.”
“I know what I did was wrong, but how dare you speak to me so callously? What’s more, how dare you look at me as though you despise me?”
Darcy, by now, had taken a seat in the opposite corner of the room. “You cost me the woman I love.”
Lady Victoria disdainfully cast her eyes towards the ceiling. “You ought to be thanking me for sparing you the shame of being connected with such a family.”
Darcy stood. “I will not hear another word spoken against the Bennets, not from you. Not after what you’ve done.”
Her ladyship gave her cousin a dismissive huff. “What I did is nothing in comparison to the youngest Bennet daughter who is known to be living in sin with your adversary—George Wickham.”
He sucked in a sharp breath. “You do not know what you are talking about.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask my brother Richard. He is the one who told Robert. I overheard them talking about it.”
Without taking proper leave of Lady Victoria, Darcy was gone directly.
~*~
Darcy was sitting in his study when his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam strolled into the room in response to his summons.
“Even though I dropped everything to see you, thinking this had to do with Victoria, I do not know that I liked being called away from more pleasurable pursuits merely for the purpose of accommodating your wishes, Darcy.”
“Surely you do not suppose I asked you here to discuss your sister. It is just as I expected. She was never with child, and why she would pretend otherwise is beyond comprehension.”
“You cannot be surprised. Did I not tell you that my sister was in love with you last year when we were in Kent? I’m only sorry that she went to such lengths to try to entrap you into marriage.”
“If only I had listened to you, Victoria’s scheme might not have cost me the love of the one woman who means more to me than anyone else in the world.”
“When I spoke to my sister before coming to see you, she was going on about Miss Elizabeth Bennet and how she had won. Hence, I surmise you must be speaking of her. However, I’m surprised to hear you speak of losing her in such terms of regret in light of all that has happened.”
“What do you mean? Has something happened that I ought to know about?”
“Surely you have heard of the scandal surrounding the youngest Bennet daughter.”
“I am afraid I have not. Although your sister implied something appalling has taken place. Indeed, that is the reason I wanted to see you. Victoria said she overheard you and Robert talking.”
“I am afraid the news is appalling. The youngest Bennet daughter, you see, has run off. She has thrown herself into George Wickham’s power. Rumor has it that the foolish young girl thought he was taking her to Gretna Green, but you and I know him too well to suppose anything of the sort.”
“How do you know any of this?”
“It’s a consequence of the circles in which I travel.”
“Do you know what has been done to recover her?”
“I have heard that the girl’s father and her uncle are doing all they can. By all accounts, nothing has been seen or heard of Wickham and the girl since they left Brighton. They most certainly did not travel to Gretna Green. No, if I know anything at all about that vile George Wickham it is that he is buried somewhere in London’s underbelly, hiding from the girl’s relations as well as a slew of creditors.”
Chapter 27 ~ Extraordinary Application
There was a flurry of activity at Dunsmore House in preparation for the next day’s wedding celebration.
Just the day before, Elizabeth and Lady Sophia had attended another wedding ceremony—one that was rather quiet and low-key, for it was the marriage of her youngest sister, Lydia, to George Wickham. It was a shock to them all, but the wayward couple mysteriously surfaced from whatever hellhole they had been held up in – no doubt one of London’s seedier sides – proclaiming their intention to marry. Other than Lady Sophia, Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, the officiant and the couple themselves, there were no other guests. Even Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth’s other sisters had not been informed. It was a strange affair indeed. The good news was that the Bennet family’s reputation would be salvaged in time, and for that Elizabeth was exceedingly grateful.
The last thing Lady Sophia and Elizabeth expected was that one of the people among those coming and going that day would be Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Neither of the former two could think of a probable motive for the latter’s coming. Elizabeth had only met Lady Catherine once before and that was during the start of the Season. Elizabeth recalled that her ladyship had been most disagreeable.
Having entered the room with an ungracious air hardly befitting a guest in the home of a duke, Lady Catherine refused all the usual courtesies and asserted her purpose in coming was to speak to Elizabeth in privacy. Assured that Elizabeth’s courage would rise in the wake of any challenge put forth by the bad-tempered guest, Lady Sophia quit the room.
“You ought to know, young lady, that I have just heard a report of a most alarming nature that has to do with you and my nephew. I have come here from my brother’s home – the Earl of Matlock – and I cannot begin to express my disgust. I went there for the express purpose of putting an end to my niece’s lies about Darcy being the father of her unborn child only to learn that she was never with child from the start.”
What? Did I rightly hear her ladyship correctly? Did she say that her niece was never with child? This confirms Mr. Darcy’s original conjecture that his cousin was lying.
Elizabeth responded to her ladyship with unaffected astonishment. “This information seems to be of a rather personal nature between Mr. Darcy and his cousin. I fail to see what any of this has to do with me.”
“I will not be trifled with, young woman. My niece had the audacity to tell me that the favorite wish of two sisters is still not to be realized owing to my nephew’s belief that he is in love with you. That young woman has proved herself to be a most egregious liar, and I suspect that what she claims about my nephew’s supposed feelings for you is just another instance. Her wild imagination does not end there. She claims that my nephew exercised extraordinary measures to bring about the recovery of your youngest sister from her despicable plight – a young woman of barely sixteen fornicating with a man nearly twice her senior – and that his sole purpose in doing so was to regain your good opinion. She also said that my nephew has long intended to make you an offer of marriage and that he likely has already done so.”
“If you believe your niece to be untruthful, what can be your purpose in coming to see me?”
“I determined to come here and have you declare that there is no foundation for her assertions.”
“I do not pretend to be obligated to speak on such matters.”
“This is not to be borne, Miss Bennet. I insist upon being satisfied. Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?”
“Again, your ladyship, you may choose to ask me questions of such a personal nature, but I am not obliged to answer.”
“You insolent girl! Do you suppose for one instant that I would quietly stand by and allow such a travesty to unfold? If I was not content to allow Darcy to be taken in by my niece –
my own flesh and blood – then why would I allow the likes of you to dissuade him?
“From their infancy, my nephew and my daughter, Anne, have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother, as well as my own. While they lay in their cradles we planned the union. Now when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished by their marriage, it is to be threatened by a young woman of inferior birth.”
Her ladyship glared at Elizabeth. “Make no mistake—no scandalous twist of fate can alter your inferior bloodline despite your noble connections.”
“You fail to take into account that Mr. Darcy and I are wholly equal despite the scandalous twist of fate that you expound upon. He is a gentleman and I am a gentleman’s daughter!”
“True. You are a gentleman’s daughter. But what of your mother? Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition.”
“Whatever my connections may be,” said Elizabeth, “if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you.”
“I have suffered enough of your impertinence! Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?”
Though Elizabeth would not have answered this question merely for the sake of obliging Lady Catherine, she could not but say, after a moment’s deliberation, that she was not engaged to the woman’s nephew.
Lady Catherine seemed pleased. “And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?”
“I will make no promise of the kind.”
“Miss Bennet, I am shocked and astonished. I had expected to find you a more reasonable young woman. However, do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away until you have given me the assurance I require.”
“And I certainly never shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. It is no great secret that you want Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter, but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their marriage any more probable?
“Even if he were attached to me, would my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin? Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. How far your nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs I cannot tell, but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg, therefore, to be importuned no longer on the subject.”
“And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable, but, depend upon it, I will carry my point.”
In this manner, Lady Catherine babbled on until she was at the door. Then, turning hastily around, she added, “I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to Lady Sophia or His Grace. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”
~*~
Darcy slowly traced his thumb along the rim of his glass. What a distasteful business it had been—recovering Elizabeth’s youngest sister from the scandal she had thrust upon herself as well as her family. Even if Elizabeth were never to learn of his part in arranging the expeditious marriage between Wickham and her youngest sister, it still would have been worth it as recompense for the pain he himself had caused her.
Sitting across the table from Avery at White’s, he said, “I understand that congratulations are in order. I wish you and Miss Hamilton all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, Darcy. As much as I would wish to have you there, I do not think it will be wise in light of the circumstances.”
“You are aware, or perhaps you’re not by your attitude, but my cousin’s accusations against me have proved false, just as I said they would. There is no longer an expectation of our being married.”
“I am very happy for you, Darcy; however, I am not sure that changes anything as far as my sister is concerned.”
“That is fair enough. However, you ought to know that my feelings for Elizabeth have not changed. Although she refuses to see me, I have not given up on the hope of a future between us.”
“You wounded her deeply. Why would she wish to see you?”
“Avery, you know under normal circumstances I would never impose upon our friendship. In such a case as this, it cannot be helped.”
“What do you want from me, Darcy?”
“If I could but see her…”
“Darcy, I am not insensitive to your plight as regards my sister, nor have I forgotten what a great friend you have been to my family.” Here, Avery paused for a moment. Arising from his chair, he extended his hand to his friend. “You are welcome to be a part of my wedding celebration.”
Chapter 28 ~ Words of Approbation
What a grand affair Avery’s wedding breakfast was. It was everything that a member of the realm’s nuptials ought to be. Everyone praised the duke’s new wife, whose elegance and grace were in every way suitable to her elevated rank. Her exquisite gown gave Elizabeth and Lady Sophia to know its procurement alone had to have been the work of many weeks, if not months.
Avery was happy with his choice of bride. Nothing else really mattered, and, regardless of the young woman’s humble origins, she was now the Duchess of Dunsmore. Not only did she have Elizabeth’s and Lady Sophia’s respect, but she also had their loyalty and support.
However, Elizabeth did have cause to take umbrage with His Grace. He had not said a word to her about Mr. Darcy’s being invited to the wedding. She had seen the gentleman earlier that week and had managed successfully to avoid him. That was before her encounter with his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Now she wanted to see him. Better stated, she needed to see him. Lady Catherine’s tirade had raised more questions than answers, and it had also inspired in Elizabeth a glimmer of hope.
Supposing what she had to say about his involvement in my sister’s recovery is true, the very least I can do is thank him on behalf of my family.
When he could, Darcy headed straight towards her. Bowing, he said, “Miss Elizabeth.”
She curtsied. “Mr. Darcy.”
“It is a pleasure to see you.”
“I would say the same, sir. However, I would much rather not say anything here. At the risk of being untoward, pray you will meet me in the library.”
His charming smile confirmed he was more than happy to oblige her request. This was indeed a cause for hope.
Alone in the library, Darcy and Elizabeth spoke of many things: his aunt’s visit, his cousin’s duplicity, her sister’s scandal, and Elizabeth’s feelings of having failed her family. She had thought she could make a difference in her family’s life. Her good intentions had not been enough to protect her sister.
“It was right that you tried to do your best by your family and give your sisters good examples to follow. You must not blame yourself for what happened.”
“Yet you went out of your way in saving my sister from ruin. You salvaged my family’s reputation and at considerable expense to yourself, I suspect. Let me thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for the generous compassion that induced you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering Lydia and Mr. Wickham.”
“If you will thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself alone. Your family owe me nothing. As much as I respect them, in coming to your sister’s aid as I did, I believe I thought only of you.”
“I contend that I am deeply obligated to you, sir. What’s more, I might not have learned any of this as soon as I did if it had not been for Lady Catherine.”
“No doubt she was most unpleasant. I am sorry.”
“Please do not be. Her visit cast a different light on other matters as well.”
“How so?”
“Your aunt told me your cousin fabricated the entire scheme from the start,
just as you suspected. You, sir, know me well enough to know that I am a very curious creature. Surely there’s more to the story.”
“My cousin admitted to taking advantage of me, even violating my privacy in a most egregious manner, but she also admitted that nothing of a physical nature occurred between us, despite the impropriety.”
“If you are saying what I suspect, it is horrible all the same. She is someone whom you’ve always admired. You loved her and now you must hate her.”
“No—I have too many fond memories of her to ever say that I hate her. Although I feel strongly it will be many years before I truly forgive her. I do not suppose I will ever learn to trust her again.”
“Because of that trust, you acted the only way you could. I cannot fault you for that. I might even go as far as to credit you with being honorable for the sacrifice you were prepared to make on your cousin’s behalf.”
“I am sure there are many who would beg to differ.”
“Let others say what they will. You and I know better.”
“Still, I feel as though I ought to make amends to you for the disappointment you suffered.”
“Now it is my turn to say you owe me nothing. I might spend the rest of my life trying to repay you for all you have done for me and my family and all my efforts would prove insufficient.”
“I would much rather prefer you make better use of your time simply sharing my love.” Darcy took her by the hand. “Elizabeth, it goes without saying that I’m sorry to have wounded you. I always suspected my cousin was lying. Now that we know the truth, tell me it is not too late. Pray tell me we can rid ourselves of the memory of this most harrowing few months and start anew. Dare I ask too much that this day might be the first day of the rest of our lives together?”
“Sir, do you not suppose that such an act as you propose might seem a bit rash?”
“Indeed I do not. How I wish I had offered you my hand before you left Pemberley. I love you – most ardently – and I do not intend to let another day go by without proving it to you. I would like to start this very moment by asking you if you would do me the honor of accepting my hand.”
