A Covenant of Marriage

by C. P. Odom

  These last invited guests were the first to arrive, for the captain was anxious to see his father and his siblings who were all employed in various trades about Pemberley. When Darcy was informed that the Reynolds coach had turned in on the road to Pemberley, he sent a servant to advise Elizabeth and her sister. He quickly finished his letter and met them as they came down the stairs together.

  The day was bitterly cold though no snow had yet fallen, and all three waited well back from the front door. Darcy nodded in satisfaction to see that both of them, despite their earlier reservations, were wearing new gowns designed for Derbyshire winters along with spencers for additional warmth. He felt no need to make a comment, but Elizabeth seemed almost able to read his mind as she looked at him and cocked a brow inquisitively. Darcy only smiled and shrugged, drawing a similar response from his wife, who leaned to whisper something in Jane’s ear.

  From a window, Darcy saw his butler go out to meet the coach as a tall man in a blue uniform stepped down. Father and son embraced, tenderly holding each other close as they talked for some moments before Reynolds turned away and returned to the house with a huge smile of pride on his face and a suspicious glistening at the corners of his eyes.

  ***

  It was a moment more before Reynolds pulled the front door open again to admit their visitors. A short, slender woman dressed in warm clothing ushered two children in the front door, followed by her husband. He wore a Royal Navy greatcoat with two epaulettes on his shoulders, marking him as a post-captain with two years seniority, a position that would lead to an admiral’s rank in the fullness of time.

  He was taller than his father, but his features unmistakably conveyed his kinship to their butler. His wife was attractive and dressed in the latest fashion, but while her husband appeared to be quite at ease as he handed his coat, gloves, and hat to one of the servants, she looked rather apprehensive at having her garments collected by people she had known for years.

  “Ah, Captain Reynolds, it is good to see you and your beautiful wife,” Darcy said, stepping forward, hand extended to greet them. “And your handsome children also, though I have not yet had the opportunity to meet them.”

  The tall officer hesitated only a moment before grasping Darcy’s hand firmly.

  Deftly, Darcy guided him and his wife to where Elizabeth and Jane waited. “Captain Reynolds, Mrs. Reynolds, please allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, and her sister Miss Jane Bennet.”

  Captain Reynolds bowed deeply, and his wife curtsied though she appeared somewhat surprised as both Elizabeth and Jane returned her greeting.

  Perhaps she thought we would only nod stiffly in condescension, Elizabeth thought with amusement.

  She also noted that their butler’s professional demeanour had returned as he watched his son’s family greet his employer, but the servants carrying the luggage and taking charge of the children wore cheerful smiles as both Captain Reynolds and his wife exchanged greetings with those they knew. Elizabeth had wondered whether there might be an element of jealousy among the staff at seeing people from their own station in life who had ascended to the gentry, but no such feelings could be observed.

  Elizabeth greeted his wife warmly and took her arm as she started to guide her down the hall to the front parlour where warm drinks and refreshments had been prepared for their arrival.

  The other woman glanced down the hall to where a small crowd of servants peaked around the corner. Elizabeth recognised Mrs. Henderson from the kitchen staff with two younger girls who might have been the twin sisters of Mrs. Reynolds. It was certain these were the mother and sisters of the young lady, who was visibly torn by a desire to act as a lady of the gentry and by the longing to embrace her family.

  “Go on and greet your family, Mrs. Reynolds,” Elizabeth said softly, and the woman looked at her in confused astonishment.

  “Do not worry about the proprieties.” Elizabeth laughed. “I am a simple girl from the country not a haughty lady from town. Neither my husband nor I should wish you to delay your reunion. Join us in the parlour when you are ready.”

  Mrs. Reynolds plainly wanted to follow Elizabeth’s advice, but she looked rather desperately at her husband and at Darcy, striving to see whether she would give offence.

  Elizabeth only clucked in amusement and flicked her fingers down the hall. “Go on, my dear. We shall see you later.”

  That was enough. With a stifled sob, the young woman ran down the hall into the embrace of her mother and sisters, and Elizabeth turned back to Darcy and Captain Reynolds. The other man stepped forward to Darcy’s side and gave Elizabeth another deep bow.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy. Sarah has worried about how to act when she came to visit, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you helping her.”

  “Think nothing of it, Captain. As I said, I am a simple country lass, and a man who shows such steadfast loyalty to a childhood sweetheart deserves my approbation. It is very reminiscent of my husband, who also possesses the same steadfastness. I am sure he will tell you of his own loyalty if you are persistent.”

  Elizabeth smiled sweetly at her husband’s look of reluctance, but Darcy laughed softly. “Come along, Captain. Step inside my study for a glass of port while we wait for your wife, and I shall tell you of my pursuit of Mrs. Darcy. Though I warn you, I am not comfortable with all aspects of the tale, and it will take at least two glasses of spirits before I can tell all.”

  “Nonsense, Captain,” Elizabeth said as they started to turn away. “Mr. Darcy displayed the courage of his convictions in full measure, and though he seldom likes to boast of his virtues, I shall tell you he is the most admirable man I know.”

  Darcy shook his head in resignation and walked Captain Reynolds down the hall. Elizabeth started to turn away, only to be stopped as their butler stepped up to her. She was astonished as the tall, elderly man slipped down to one knee and bowed his head in a sign of respect.

  “Your servant, Mrs. Darcy,” he said almost reverently, “your most faithful servant.”

  Then, standing with not even a hint of his advanced years, Reynolds bowed deeply and returned to his duties, ushering away the servants who had witnessed the encounter.

  Chapter 21

  My lord cardinal (Cardinal Richelieu), there is one fact which you seem to have entirely forgotten. God is a sure paymaster. He may not pay at the end of every week or month or year; but I charge you, remember that He pays in the end.

  —Anne of Austria (1601–1666), Spanish princess and Queen of France

  Monday, December 16, 1816

  Pemberley, Derbyshire

  The remainder of the Christmas guests began to appear a few days after Captain Reynold’s arrival, the Gardiners being next to reach Pemberley. They were greeted warmly by Darcy and their two nieces, and Jane was quick to take charge of the children and lead them to their rooms. Darcy shared a smile with Elizabeth at the excited cries as they scampered upstairs with their favourite cousin.

  On the following day, Lord and Lady Matlock disembarked from their coaches along with two of their sons: Edward, the eldest and the heir apparent to the Matlock title, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. This latter visitor had been especially anticipated by Darcy, and he lost no time in initiating his planned endeavour.

  “You have met Elizabeth already, of course, but permit me to introduce her sister Miss Jane Bennet, who is staying with us.”

  After Jane gave her best curtsy to the earl and countess, Darcy introduced both her and Elizabeth to Edward Fitzwilliam and his wife, Dorothea. Then, with these formalities completed, he turned to Fitzwilliam with a cunning gleam in his eye.

  “Richard, as promised a few months ago, permit me to present Elizabeth’s elder sister, Miss Jane Bennet.”

  Darcy saw the suspicion in Elizabeth’s eyes as Fitzwilliam gave Jane a gallant bow of greeting, and she
had little difficulty in guessing her husband’s ulterior motive. Darcy lost little time in confirming her guess.

  “As you have undoubtedly noticed, Miss Bennet is possessed of exceptional beauty,” Darcy said, his expression giving nothing away. “In addition, she is unmarried, as are you. I believe you are aware of her fortune of ten thousand pounds, and I can assure you of her excellent disposition, perfect manners, and many accomplishments.”

  Fitzwilliam glared at Darcy, and when he looked at Jane, she was plainly alarmed with her eyes lowered and her cheeks a distinct crimson.

  “As you know, Uncle, I have a close rapport with Mr. Bennet, the father of my wife and her sister, and I would be perfectly willing to act as an intermediary in order to arrange a marriage between two people who are dear to me. You have only to say the word and take your son in hand to remind him of his duty to himself and his family, and we can have the two of them well settled in marital bliss by the spring.”

  “Excellent idea, Darcy!” Lord Matlock’s voice rumbled with mingled amusement and interest.

  The countess made little attempt to conceal her amusement. “I believe the most intriguing part of your suggestion is the temerity and wit you display. Neither attribute has been a part of your character prior to this, so I can only ascribe this most salutary transformation to your marriage.”

  “A salient point, my dear. It is not often that I have seen Richard struggle so for a rejoinder to Darcy.”

  At length, after a succession of undecipherable expressions moved over his face, Fitzwilliam turned to Jane. “Please excuse my cousin, Miss Bennet. He has lived most of his life without any indication of possessing a sense of humour, and his marriage to your sister appears to have quite unhinged him. Let us leave him to his plotting, and I shall inform you of several of the more embarrassing events of his childhood. You can use them to good effect if he continues to exhibit this most untoward behaviour.”

  Darcy only smiled at his cousin as Jane hesitated a moment before taking Fitzwilliam’s proffered arm and accompanying him down the hallway.

  As soon as they had all turned into the parlour where refreshments had been assembled by the staff, Elizabeth turned to Darcy sternly while the Matlock family laughed aloud.

  “William, you should have warned me so I could prepare Jane for your display of impertinence. I have to agree with your cousin about your heretofore absence of a sense of humour. Your remarks were most surprising and unanticipated.”

  “I am afraid I must disagree with you, Mrs. Darcy,” Edward Fitzwilliam said with a chuckle. “It was gratifying to see Richard rocked back on his heels. He has bested Darcy since they were children, and it will do him good to see how marriage seems to have brought out some surprising capabilities in our cousin.”

  “Why, thank you, Edward,” Darcy said with a wide smile.

  His cousin responded cheerfully with a smile and a nod.

  “I hope my attempt at humour did not disconcert your sister unduly, my dear,” Darcy continued, offering Elizabeth his arm. “She will need to develop a certain flexibility in the coming years if she is to learn to cope with such a well-entrenched bachelor.”

  “I fear you are enjoying yourself too much at the good colonel’s expense,” Elizabeth retorted. “And I am not sure your success with one arranged marriage would be easily repeated with others, especially your close relations.”

  “Time will tell,” Darcy said, unperturbed. “To be honest, I do not believe there is anything I could do that would truly fluster Richard. To unsettle him briefly is the most I could hope for, and I believe I have achieved that.”

  “True, true.” Lady Matlock laughed. “And, as you said, who knows what will come of your efforts?”

  The rest of the party had already followed Fitzwilliam and Jane into the parlour, but Darcy brought Elizabeth to a pause just outside the door.

  “I do not believe Jane was badly put off by what I said to Richard,” Darcy said softly so only Elizabeth could hear. “In fact, I thought she even appeared somewhat pleased at the attention.”

  “Despite my worry that it might encourage you to further adventures, I do believe you might be correct,” Elizabeth said just as quietly. “Jane seems to have benefitted from the change of scenery as well as being noticed by young men.”

  “And she and Richard are much the same age. A number of those she has met are perhaps a bit young for a lady of Jane’s capabilities and discernment. But, regardless of the result, I have the satisfaction of having had the better of my cousin, and that has not happened very often. I am quite pleased with the day so far.”

  Elizabeth could only shake her head in amusement, and on that note, they followed the rest of the party.

  ***

  Thursday, December 19, 1816

  Pemberley, Derbyshire

  Three days later, Darcy summoned Fitzwilliam to join him, but the impetus for this conversation contained nothing of the light-hearted amusement occasioned by Darcy’s introduction of Jane Bennet.

  “You wanted to see me, Darce?” Fitzwilliam said in a lazy drawl, entering the study and collapsing into one of the stuffed chairs in front of Darcy’s desk.

  “Perhaps you can help me resolve some confusion I have regarding a letter I just received from a certain Signore Mancini of Milan, Italy,” Darcy said, an unreadable expression on his face. “It was he whom I commissioned to provide Wickham with an allowance once he arrived there from England. The worthless wretch was supposed to be able to draw £250 per quarter up to a total of £3,000, a sum that would have lasted three years.”

  Darcy looked closely at Fitzwilliam, who stared back with interest but with no particular concern, so he continued. “I had expected a communication from Signore Mancini, informing me that Wickham had exhausted his funds and applied for more. I was not certain whether I wanted to extend his allowance, but once I married, I was inclined to continue the funds just to avoid having to deal with the blackguard.

  “So, you can imagine my surprise to receive a communication from Signore Mancini to inform me that Wickham has never drawn a single payment from the sum I provided him, and Mancini wrote to ask about the disposition of my money. I was quite taken aback and puzzled as I read his letter, but then I remembered that you had taken Wickham to the docks. Dare I hope you might provide some enlightenment as to this singular state of affairs?”

  Darcy’s voice had been tight and controlled during his recitation, but his jaw was now clenched as he glared at his cousin, who had heard him out in silence.

  Fitzwilliam shrugged, still showing no particular emotion. “Wickham will have no need for funds where he has gone.”

  “I see,” Darcy said coldly. “So he is dead?”

  “He is. He will never trouble either of our families again.”

  “And did you simply cut him down in cold blood as you once threatened?”

  “Not that he did not deserve it, you understand, but I did not. In fact, he had as good a chance to kill me as I did him.”

  Darcy leaned back in his chair and struggled to control his temper. “Then perhaps you might enlighten me as to how his death transpired.”

  Darcy was used to managing his affairs without interference, and he had to keep a tight rein on his temper as Fitzwilliam related the events of that fateful morning four years earlier. Darcy listened in silence, wanting to hear the full story before he made any response, but he was not completely successful at controlling his expression.

  Fitzwilliam seemed completely unrepentant as he calmly provided all the details of his challenge, the resulting duel, and its conclusion. When he was finished, Darcy was silent while his cousin went to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of port.

  Finally, as Fitzwilliam resumed his seat and took a healthy swallow of his drink, Darcy could no longer hold his emotions in check.

&nb
sp; “I am furious with you!” he said through gritted teeth.

  “That much is obvious,” his cousin responded, “but I swore an oath that Wickham would never again have the opportunity to harm our family, and you know how important such a vow is to a man like me. However, after you informed me of what that unmitigated scoundrel attempted with Georgiana, I never laid eyes on the man. It was not for lack of searching, mind you, both by me and several of my most loyal officers. The opportunity that fell into my lap when you made the agreement to send him abroad was one I simply could not resist.”

  “But you deceived me! I had made all the arrangements, and you had the impertinence to take it upon yourself to thwart me and my agreement with Wickham.”

  “Not entirely. If he had refused my challenge, I would have taken him to his ship. It would have galled me, to be sure, but I would have done it. It was not as though renouncing his pretence of being a gentleman would have become publicly known, after all. I would not have broadcast the news, nor would any of my officers. So Wickham could have cheerfully turned down my challenge and departed without it affecting his future at all, and he well knew it.”

  “But you knew Wickham would not have acquiesced to your demand,” Darcy said angrily.

  “I knew no such thing. He was your boyhood friend, not mine. In fact, I barely knew the man. I had little idea of how he might react. He was not a man of honour like you. From what you have told me, Wickham spent quite some time in rather unsavoury environments, associating with characters who definitely were not gentlemen, so I was completely unsure what to expect.”