by Zoë Burton
Elizabeth smiled at his words, returning his sentiments before laying her head back down on his shoulder. They remained embraced for a few more minutes, until steps could be heard on the staircase. Jane, who had led her sister out of the bedroom then disappeared back into it when her future brother embraced Elizabeth, stepped once again into the hall and cleared her throat.
Reluctantly, the couple separated, Darcy lifting Elizabeth off his lap and onto the seat next to him before rising. Nodding to Jane, he turned back to his intended, holding out his hand and helping her to rise. He escorted her down the stairs with Jane following.
Elizabeth did her best, after being settled into a chair with a blanket over her legs, to be her usual self, but the effort was exhausting. While the majority of the party, which this day included the Hursts, were encouraging and understanding of the trauma she had faced, Mrs. Bennet was her usual self. She often praised Darcy and Bingley, for various reasons but largely because they were marrying her daughters. However, every time her eyes fell upon her second daughter, she would recall the near-ruin she had brought upon them by disappearing. As a result of these recollections, she berated Elizabeth as an undutiful and wild daughter who had no compassion on her poor nerves.
The words, combined with her mother’s shrill voice and her own lingering weakness, were more than Elizabeth could take. She held on as long as she could, but her distress was clear to everyone who cared to see it. Darcy waited for Bennet to take control of his wife and when he did not, Darcy did.
Standing from his chair beside his betrothed, he apologized to the gathering. “I am sorry to interrupt, but Elizabeth is fatigued and requires rest. I will escort her to her room.”
“Oh, Lizzy is just fine. All she wants is attention. You will have your hands full with her, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy’s mien transitioned from blankly polite to menacing. He stiffened with the affront to his future wife and took a full minute to gather his control enough to speak. When he did, however, there was no doubt even in Mrs. Bennet’s mind that he was greatly displeased with her.
“There is nothing wanting in Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet. She is neither wild nor untamed. She is not uncaring. What she is, is recovering from a horrific experience that was no fault of her own. A scoundrel tried to use her to revenge himself on me. If you are going to blame anyone for your nerves being overset, you should be attributing them to me and my actions, not your daughter’s.
“In addition, she is not fine, and if you had eyes for anyone but yourself, you would see this. She almost died, Mrs. Bennet. Died! You should be praising her for her efforts to release herself from her bindings while in that shed. You should be praising her for being out of bed after only a week of recovery. Your careless, thoughtless words have the potential to set her back again. The wedding would have to be postponed in that case. What do you say about that, Mrs. Bennet?”
Darcy’s harsh words left the entire room silent, including Elizabeth’s mother, who was unaccustomed to being reprimanded for her behavior. He felt Elizabeth take his hand. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm the shaking that came along with his rage, he turned to her and helped her stand. Without another word or look at anyone, he picked her up and carried her out of the room. Jane, Mary, and Georgiana quickly followed, eager to be of use to the couple.
After a long, awkward silence, Lady Watts spoke. “Well, that was heartfelt. If there was ever a doubt about that young man’s love for Elizabeth, his words should have put it to rest.”
Her sister’s speech woke Mrs. Bennet out of her shocked stupor and once again loosened her tongue. “Why, I never! He had no right to speak to me that way! I can-.”
“Yes, Wife, he did have the right. Shame on me for not stopping you myself. Your future son had the right of it. What happened to our daughter was not her doing, and I had best not hear you speak of it or her again in that manner. Mr. Darcy may just be the salvation from the hedgerows that you have been so afraid of for so long. I expect you to treat both him and Elizabeth with the proper respect. I intend to encourage them to marry as soon as possible. Darcy has the license in his possession; the marriage articles have been signed. All that is left is to stand in the church. They need each other far more than you and I will ever understand.” With those words, Bennet bowed to the remaining guests and retreated to his book room.
Lady Watts chose that moment to support her brother. “Thomas was correct, Fanny. Elizabeth did not choose to be kidnapped and left to die. The man who did this was using her to hurt Darcy. She is fragile right now, physically and, I would imagine, in her emotions. By berating her on her first foray into the world since her recovery, you have made her ill again. You must learn to see things from another perspective than your own, Sister. I know you love all your girls; you must show it to all of them, even the ones you do not understand.”
Silence ruled the room once again. Before the mistress of the house could regain her tongue after her third setdown in a row, the Hursts excused themselves to return to Netherfield. They said not a word about it, not in the carriage or upon returning home, but both felt that it was long past time someone took Mrs. Bennet to task.
Mrs. Bennet, unable to think of a single thing to say to defend herself, rose and, without a word, retired to her rooms. She would spend the rest of the day there, taking meals on a tray and admitting no one to see her.
~~~***~~~
Having carried his beloved to her room, Darcy gently set her on the bed, sitting beside her when she would not release him. Silently he held her while she cried once more into his shoulder and their sisters quietly busied themselves around the room. Finally, she calmed enough to speak.
“I do not know what to say first.”
“There is nothing you need to say. I apologize for my part in your distress. I should not have let my temper loose as I did.”
“You are fine, Fitzwilliam. Mama deserved every word you spoke to her. Thank you for standing up for me.”
Darcy kissed her softly. “You are welcome. You are my wife in my heart, and will officially be very soon. It is my duty and my pleasure to defend you against all attacks.”
Elizabeth smiled gently, running her hand over his cheek, before looking down and speaking again. “I am sorry for my mother and her unchecked words. I am sorry you had to sit in that room and hear her go on.” Elizabeth sighed. “Would that my father had done something with her long ago.”
“You are not to blame, my love. Your mother has the power of choice just as you and I do. She has had proper examples all around her, both in her family and in her neighbors and friends, and yet she has still chosen to behave as she wished instead of properly.”
“True.” Elizabeth paused. “Still, I would rather you had not been exposed to her ridiculousness. I love her, I do, but I do not always like her. Does that make me a bad person?”
“Not at all. We must love our family, and usually do, but everyone has characteristics that cause us to turn away from them on occasion. We love our family, but we do not always have to like them.”
Nodding, Elizabeth smiled at him. “How did you become so wise?”
Darcy chuckled, heartened to see her smiling and her good humor returning. “I do not know. Let us call it experience with my own ridiculous family members and leave it at that. Now, not to change the subject, but I can see the exhaustion in your face, my love. You need to let your sisters help you into a nightgown and rest. I will be on my settee in the hallway in case you need me.”
“Very well. I will see you later. I see Mrs. Hill hovering, and you know how she frowns upon bad behavior. I love you.”
Bestowing one last kiss to her upturned lips, Darcy rose. Bowing to each of the girls and the housekeeper, he exited the room.
“Mrs. Hill,” Jane giggled, “You seem to have frightened Mr. Darcy.”
“Well, one must keep these young men behaving properly, you know. If you give them an inch…”
The girls laughed at the wink that accom
panied the housekeeper’s words. They set about undressing Elizabeth and soon had her tucked into bed and fast asleep.
In the hallway, Bennet approached Darcy, who rose and bowed before inviting him to sit.
“How is Elizabeth?”
“She was upset and crying, but we discussed it and I believe we both feel better.” He looked Bennet in the eye. “She tried to take the blame for her mother’s behavior. I assured her that Mrs. Bennet’s actions were a result of her own choices, regardless of your neglectfulness of the situation.”
Bennet looked to his hands in embarrassment. “Yes, well, I admit to taking amusement in her antics. I have not worried over my daughters’ responses to them, or to my failure to stop them. I am ashamed to see that my failure has so affected them. I fear, though, that it is far too late to attempt to amend my wife’s behavior.”
Darcy eyed him for a moment before speaking. “That is between you and your other daughters. My concern is with Elizabeth. She is a gem, and you know it. How your wife could miss it is beyond my understanding, but I suspect Elizabeth has the right of it when she says that Mrs. Bennet used her beauty and liveliness to gain a husband and has no understanding of using her mind for such a thing. Regardless, she does not show care for her daughter, and I am of a mind to marry quickly to remove Elizabeth from her mother’s censure.”
Bennet sighed. “I had suspected you might. I know that everything is in place for you to wed. I will support you in this, and I have already told my wife so. Do you have a firm date?”
“I have not spoken to Elizabeth of it, but I should like to have the ceremony in three days’ time. She should be recovered enough at that point to tolerate the half day's ride to town. We shall remain there for a few days and then go home to Pemberley.”
“Very well, then. I will speak to the rector this afternoon.” He stood. “Thank you for your care for Elizabeth. She has chosen well, and I know she will be happy with you.”
Darcy also rose. “Thank you, sir. She is my life, and I would do anything for her.”
~~~***~~~
Three days later, Elizabeth and Darcy were wed in Longbourn’s church in a joint ceremony with Jane and Bingley. Their joy at finally being united was clear to their audience, which included Darcy’s sister and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, along with the Bennets, their relations, and most of Meryton.
At the wedding breakfast, as the newly married couples made their way around to greet each guest, the neighbors remarked on how quiet Longbourn’s mistress was. Not one could recall a time when she had not crowed about her accomplishments, and surely having two daughters so well married was a great accomplishment. What they were not aware of was the confrontation between Darcy and his mother-in-law that had effectively silenced her while he remained in her home. Mr. Bennet had sworn the family to secrecy about it, and no one was brave enough to risk his unprecedented wrath.
As soon as they had a moment, Elizabeth and Darcy joined Jane and Bingley as they stood in front of the fireplace.
“Darcy, I owe you my thanks for encouraging me to purchase that special license. It means a great deal to Jane for us to be able to marry alongside you and Elizabeth.”
“You are welcome. It was wise of you to begin the settlements while you were still in town. It only made sense to be prepared for anything.”
“I imagine, Fitzwilliam,” said Jane, “that you suspected you would require a quicker wedding than originally planned.”
“Indeed, I did. It did not take me long to realize so, and when Elizabeth went missing, I swore that if she lived, I would marry her as soon as possible.” He lifted his wife’s hand from his arm and bestowed a tender kiss upon it as he stared deep into her eyes.
“What are your plans?” Bingley knew that if someone did not break their concentration, his friend and Elizabeth would stare at each other all day.
“We are to spend a week in London, are we not, my love?”
“Yes, Elizabeth is correct. A week in London and then off to Pemberley. I am eager to show it off to its mistress, and show the mistress off to Pemberley.” He smiled at her blush. Looking to his friend, he asked about their plans.
“We are spending tonight in town, as well, at the Clarendon. The Hursts will stay here in Hertfordshire for a while, and keep the house open for us. We plan a brief tour of the kingdom, and I wish to show her the town where I grew up and my father’s mills.”
“I am eager to meet the rest of Charles’ family.”
“You mean you wish to see if they are like me or like Caroline,” Bingley laughed. He had told Jane the story of his younger sister and how she was found in Darcy’s bed one night by a servant, who informed Mrs. Hurst, who took her husband, brother, and Darcy with her to confront her sister, exposing her and her machinations to the entire household.
Jane smiled without replying, but Darcy and Elizabeth chuckled at the thought, for Darcy had also told Elizabeth the story, leaving it to her to share the whole embarrassing incident with Georgiana.
They were interrupted in their laughter by Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had Darcy’s sister with him. “Congratulations, Darcy, Mrs. Darcy. I wish you every happiness.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam. Are you leaving?”
“Yes, I must return to my regiment tomorrow, so I thought to deliver Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley to their establishment and spend the night at my father’s house. He will want a report of the day, you know.”
“That he will. Make sure he understands that if he wishes to retain a relationship with me, he must accept Elizabeth openly and publicly.”
“I will.”
“That other matter…”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked his cousin in the eye. “Has been taken care of. There was a robbery late at night in Seven Dials. Apparently, the victim tried to fight off the thief and was killed for his efforts. It is a mystery that will likely remain unsolved.”
Darcy raised his brow. “I see.” Nothing more of the matter was said by either gentleman.
By the time they finished speaking, Georgiana had completed her goodbyes to her new sisters and Mr. Bingley. She hugged her brother, whispering to him that she loved him and thanking him for giving her sisters, then turned to the door where Mary waited for her turn at leave-taking.
Less than an hour later, the Darcys also farewelled the gathering. They entered the coach, ready to begin their new life.
~~~***~~~
The man ran as fast as he could, ducking down dark alleys and deserted mews, trying to evade the man who chased him. This part of London was known for its crime, and one never knew what one might find. Most people, even those who lived in this neighborhood, refused to venture out at night.
He had thought for weeks that he was being followed, but had never been certain. There had been no more than a shadow that was there and then gone. He had not recognized faces, and after his actions in Hertfordshire, he knew it was imperative that he pay attention to such things. Tonight, though…tonight there was a face he did know. And so he ran.
Suddenly, out of the murky London fog, as he came to the end of a building, a man in a red uniform stepped into his path. The running man slid to a halt, his heart in his throat.
“Wickham.”
“F-fitzwilliam.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam took a step forward, grabbing Wickham’s cravat with one hand and pulling him closer. Snarling into his face, he spoke. “You abducted a gentlewoman and left her to die. What does that make you, hmm?”
“Uhh..”
“That makes you an attempted murderer. What do they do to attempted murderers?” When Wickham did not answer, the colonel shook him. “Answer me!”
“They, they hang them.”
“They do, and when you hang you die. You have committed your last crime. Goodbye, George.” With a swift motion, he thrust a stiletto under Wickham’s ribcage, twisting as he had been taught to do by the Frenchman who trained him to use the ancient weapon, before pulling it back out. He let go of Wick
ham’s cravat and watched as he slumped to the ground. Rifling through the dying man’s pockets, he tossed the contents on the ground before wiping the knife on Wickham’s coat. Retracting the blade and then sliding the weapon back into the specially-made sheath in his boot, Fitzwilliam surveyed the scene one more time before slipping once more into the dark shadows.
The End
About the Author
Zoe Burton first fell in love with Jane Austen’s books in 2010, after seeing the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice on television. While making her purchases of Miss Austen’s novels, she discovered Jane Austen Fan Fiction; soon after that she discovered websites full of JAFF. Her life has never been the same. She began writing her own stories when she ran out of new ones to read.
Zoe lives in the snow-belt of Ohio. She is former a Special Education Teacher, and has a passion for romance in general, Pride and Prejudice in particular, and NASCAR.
Zoe is a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America, the Northeast Ohio chapter of the RWA, and the Beau Monde chapter of the RWA. She is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and JASNA’s Ohio North Coast chapter.
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