by Jennifer Joy
"But he is innocent!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
Charlotte scoffed. "What do you care about Mr. Darcy? My maid told me how firmly and thoroughly you refused his offer of marriage."
The tenderness Elizabeth held for William calmed her. "Appearances are deceiving, and first impressions are often wrong. You know that better than anyone, Charlotte, and you encouraged me to be more reasonable in my judgments. It has not by been my opinion for long, but I feel it so strongly now that it may as well be a lifelong belief, that Mr. Darcy is the only man I could ever love. The only man I will marry."
Mr. Collins interjected, "And we are honored to be attached to such an honorable family. Her ladyship is everything kind and beneficent, and—"
Charlotte scoffed, thrusting her fists up in the air. "You cannot imagine what it has been like to hear my husband, my very own mate, belittle my looks, my abilities to run our home, and every aspect of my character in comparison to the incomparable Miss de Bourgh." Sarcasm dripped from her tongue as she continued, "I have been shamed and humiliated at the hands of a man who promised before God to love and cherish me. As long as we are under Lady Catherine's patronage, I have no hope of an end to my torment. I only did what I had to."
Elizabeth heard the chalk sliding over the slate. William read Lady Catherine's writing aloud. "My aunt intends to write to the Archbishop of Canterbury immediately to have Mr. Collins' position as the rector of her estate revoked. You will be tried at the assizes where your sin will be laid bare. However, while it would please my aunt to have you hang, I will use my influence to see you are transported far away from here where your conscience will prevent you from acting in such a manner again and the constant presence of Mr. Collins will remind you not to interfere in the lives of others when you have been unsuccessful in procuring your own happiness. I believe that will be punishment enough."
Mr. Collins sank onto his chair, for the first time in his life unable to summon a compliment.
It occurred to Elizabeth that Charlotte would have to find contentment in her situation or else Mr. Collins had best be careful when taking his tea.
Lady Catherine made her displeasure at William's addition to her plans known. But he paid her no heed, nor would he have bent to her will had she been in possession of her cane and had the strength to thrash it through the air in her normal fashion.
Mr. Collins had the misfortune of being present to see his wife arrested. Instead of being interested in her welfare, as a good husband should, he feared the loss of his position more.
Had he thought to take consolation in the ending of his marriage, he was assured that as the lawful husband of Mrs. Collins, he would have to accompany her wherever the court deemed to send her … where they would be forced to keep each other company and continue their miserable union.
Longbourn would never belong to Mr. Collins.
He wailed at the injustice of his changed fortune and humiliation while Charlotte watched him with a cold, distant demeanor.
Turning to Elizabeth, she said, "I am not sorry I helped Miss de Bourgh out of this world. My decision was … not as convenient to me as I had believed it would be." She looked between Elizabeth and William, who glued himself to her side. "I wish you all the happiness of which I have been deprived."
Her words were too bitter to be taken sincerely.
With that, Charlotte went down the steps of Rosings and clambered into the cart that would take her to prison to await her trial.
Elizabeth was grateful for William's understanding as she cried at the top of the steps for her friend. His warm arm wrapped around her shoulders and his heartbeat, so firm and steady under her ear, made her determined never to take one moment of her happiness for granted. It was a rare gift. They would not always see eye to eye. They would have struggles. But she would always remember Charlotte when they arose, and she would choose happiness over what she perceived as right every time.
Colonel Fitzwilliam helped the constable calm Mr. Collins enough to convince him to join them in the cart. Already, Lady Catherine had ordered the Collinses' belongings to be packed in preparation for their long journey — wherever that may prove to be.
The colonel rejoined them at the top of the steps, and the three of them stood in silence while the best of spring displayed its beauty before them.
"Let us cross the courtyard before we return to our duties," William suggested, holding his hand out for Elizabeth.
Birds sang without a trouble in the world and a soft breeze carried the gentle perfume of the season's early blooms through the air. The sun warmed Elizabeth as much as William's touch, melting her worries away until she could imagine a time in the not-so-distant future when she would feel free to enjoy the blessings bestowed upon her to the full — without loss or anxiety to lessen its potency.
The conservatory stood before them, the sun glinting off the glass. Elizabeth smiled in pleasure when William altered their path to walk in its direction.
It was the colonel who spoke first. "Now that the mystery surrounding Anne's demise has been resolved, do you plan to return to your family, Miss Bennet? You are free to go."
William's hand tightened around her fingers, and Elizabeth knew her answer. Stopping so she could see both gentlemen, she said, "I do not wish to distress her ladyship further by failing to uphold the agreement we made and agreed upon. I will stay the additional fortnight I had promised her."
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. "You aim to benefit from your association with her household and her patronage, do you? It seems to me you have found an excellent match without the benefit of her ladyship's assistance."
"My decision is entirely self-serving, I assure you." She would not part from William's company a moment before she had to.
Elizabeth's smile was not large enough to convey the immensity of her happiness when William wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her with all the qualities she now associated with him. Love, safety, acceptance, passion…
He leaned down until his forehead touched hers and she lost herself in the depths of his brown eyes. "She said 'yes' this time, Richard. Now, kindly go away so I may properly kiss my intended."
Elizabeth heard the colonel's chuckle and the scuff of his boots as he departed from their company.
William pulled her into the conservatory. The fountain trickled serenely and the flowers surrounded them with bursts of color while the fruit trees tinged the air with citrus. As pleasant as the scene was to her senses, it paled in comparison to her anticipation of what she knew would come.
William touched his lips against hers, and he tenderly … and then thoroughly … kissed her until she thought she would never catch her breath.
Epilogue
Colonel Fitzwilliam had his hands full over the next fortnight. His duties as a chaperone were his penitence for having caused (albeit inadvertently) the biggest bone of contention between the happily engaged couple, and Elizabeth took her role as the executor of his punishment as seriously as William did.
To her credit, Lady Catherine merely looked the other way with pinched lips when William and Elizabeth would get lost in each other's eyes, smile at each other too long, or allow their fingers to linger over each other's every time they took turns passing the book to read to her ladyship. Her first coherent speech happened one week after her apoplexy. "You are fools! You make my stomach ill with your sweet speeches and manners," she had said in essence.
Elizabeth had taken it as a compliment and had congratulated her ladyship on the improvement of her health (to which Lady Catherine rolled her eyes and huffed).
The day to depart for London had finally arrived, and Lady Catherine sat in a chair in the entrance hall of her grand home to oversee the proceedings. Mrs. Jenkinson stuck to her side like a burr, often annoying the nurse William had hired to oversee his aunt's care. Several times, Lady Catherine had to restore order with her cane, which she now had strength enough to hold (although feebly).
Her ladyship's voice did not
carry the same bite it had previous to her apoplexy, but she still managed to make her demands and complaints heard and understood. She put her cane to good use, jabbing it against the floor to command attention when her voice failed her or she felt she was not the center of attention.
The final trunk was carried to William's carriage when Elizabeth heard the clack of Lady Catherine's cane echo through the hall. She turned to the great lady with a smile as William and the colonel stood before their aunt. Strangely enough, Elizabeth would miss the cantankerous woman.
Slowly, Lady Catherine slurred, "You will return soon."
Her command was softened by the anxiety in her eyes. Elizabeth had learned that while Lady Catherine did not know how to show affection to her family, she did love them in her own way. She would be lonely in her empty house. It was, Elizabeth had deduced, the reason why her ladyship employed the unreasonable amount of servants she did.
Elizabeth leaned closer to her ladyship. "Never fear, Lady Catherine. We shall plague you with our presence before the end of the year, and we shall add Miss Darcy to our party. Would that please you?"
Lady Catherine huffed at the implication that she could be pleased by anything at all, much less anything suggested by Elizabeth.
She replied, "I suppose I cannot avoid it."
With a mischievous crooked smile, William said, "Georgiana wishes to congratulate her clever aunt for discerning the identity of the villain in our midst before anyone else."
Elizabeth bit her lips together to keep from laughing at the haughty air Lady Catherine assumed at the compliment. She never lost an opportunity to point out how she had been the first to suspect Charlotte … although, as the days passed, her memory had tricked her to believe she had known all along. It was only because of her "insufferable nephews" and that "insolent girl" that she had been prevented from capturing the culprit much sooner. It had nothing to do with the laudanum bottle she had seen Charlotte slip into her apron pocket. Certainly not.
Her insults no longer offended Elizabeth. In fact, she took them as permission to make her replies to the great lady bolder and shockingly more opinionated.
The nephews kissed their aunt, as was their duty, and Elizabeth was only a little taken by surprise when Lady Catherine squeezed her hand before they finally departed. She noted how her ladyship remained in her chair at the top of the steps, smacking at the footmen who approached to take her away, until their carriage disappeared from her view.
William said, "She likes you, you know."
Elizabeth laughed. "Despite herself, I daresay."
The ride to London had never passed so quickly as that one did. Planning a wedding would do that.
Before she was ready, the carriage lurched to a stop in front of her uncle's house, where she hoped she might be able to spend a few days while she spent countless hours planning her trousseau at the draper's with Jane at her side.
Uncle Gardiner, undoubtedly moved by the elegance of the carriage in front of his home, insisted the gentlemen inside partake of a repast so he could properly thank them for conveying his niece safely to London after introductions had been performed.
Jane met Elizabeth at the gate, looking more beautiful than she ever had. She did not need to say anything for Elizabeth to know she bore the best of news.
She whispered it into Elizabeth's ear while they embraced each other with an enthusiasm in proportion to the glad tidings they bore. "I should have written to you, Lizzy, but I wanted to tell you in person." She squeezed Elizabeth so tightly, something in her back popped. "I am engaged to Charles Bingley!"
They rocked each other back and forth and cried tears of delight.
"How did this happy end come about?" asked Elizabeth, stepping out of Jane's embrace and taking her hands as they followed the others inside the house.
"He said he received notice from a friend that I was in town. Can you imagine it, Lizzy? He did not even know I was here all this time!"
Elizabeth looked at William, who had by now met Aunt Gardiner and was discovering the many acquaintances they had in common from her years living near Pemberley. It filled her with pride to see how warmly he was received by her relatives, and to hear his charming replies and interested inquiries. How she adored him! Not only did he make her happier than she had ever been, but he had managed to reunite Jane with Mr. Bingley.
They were led into the parlor where they were met with an extraordinary sight.
Uncle Gardiner waved his arms over the room for them to greater appreciate the height and width of the bandboxes covering the table. "Now that you have arrived, perhaps you can explain why I received this delivery today." He wiggled his eyes at William, who colored slightly. Uncle was no fool.
Elizabeth clasped her hands together. "Oh, William, you did not!" She rushed over to the table and opened the first box.
With a hearty laugh, she held it up for all to see. Colonel Fitzwilliam understood the joke and explained for the benefit of Elizabeth's relatives. "My cousin had the misfortune of crushing one of Miss Elizabeth's bonnets. This is his way of recompensing for her loss."
As Elizabeth opened another bandbox to display the same straw bonnet with primroses at the side, Uncle Gardiner said, "Mr. Darcy does not believe in doing anything in halves, I see."
Uncle's merriment spurred him to invite William and Colonel Fitzwilliam to join them for dinner, and Elizabeth thought she would burst with gladness.
After looking at three bonnets, she set them gently back inside their boxes and replaced the lids. "Thank you, William."
That got some looks. To be fair, she had been on the receiving end of several side glances since their arrival at her family's home, but she had not truly noticed them until then.
Elizabeth blushed while William explained, "Miss Bennet is not the only one with good news. I have asked Miss Elizabeth for her hand in marriage, and she has accepted my offer. It is my intention to ride to Longbourn on the morrow to ask Mr. Bennet for his permission."
Uncle Gardiner smacked William on the back in his unbridled excitement. "Where Mrs. Bennet will ensure you receive a favorable reply! There will be rejoicing at Longbourn such as you have never experienced, Mr. Darcy. And it will be a merry crowd around our dinner table tonight."
After the ensuing congratulatory remarks and happy chatter had subsided, William looked at her. "You have not finished," he said, his eyes flickering over to the bandboxes.
Elizabeth was intrigued. There were twelve boxes in total, and every single one she had opened had contained the same straw bonnet with a blue ribbon and fresh primroses.
Chewing on her lip, she resumed her search, uncertain what she looked for but knowing it must be something special for William to suggest she continue looking. He was all surprises.
It was in the last box. Tucked inside the bonnet was a velvet case. It was heavy and she held it in her hands for several seconds, reveling in the anticipation of opening it.
William approached her. "You see, I seem to have acquired a talent for ruining your bonnets and I wish to ensure you are always as beautifully adorned as I see you."
She opened it and gasped at the sapphires and diamonds sparkling in her hands — the perfect image of the rosettes on her bonnet, only these would never be crushed nor fade in beauty with the passing of time. Had it been in the window of the shop, she would have envied the owner who would adorn her locks with such a beautiful arrangement.
William took it from her hand and gently placed the comb in her hair, his fingers lingering to place it just so.
Aunt Gardiner and Jane rushed to her, their shared happiness branding this moment, this gift from William, forever on her heart and mind.
They had a great deal to discuss in the time between their arrival and William's return with the colonel to dine, time which they filled well and during which Uncle Gardiner invited Mr. Bingley to join them for dinner.
Elizabeth had prepared herself to explain her change of heart regarding Mr. Darcy to her famil
y. They knew very well she had not approved of him.
But the hours passed by, and she had begun to think nobody would ask when Uncle Gardiner finally voiced the question she had known would come. "There is one thing I do not understand," he began. "Pray forgive me for bringing up a delicate subject. I only ask because I am convinced it has a satisfying — and no doubt, diverting — reply. My dear niece, how is it possible for you to go from such an intense dislike of Mr. Darcy to being engaged to him?"
Elizabeth looked at William with a large smile.
William spoke through his grin, "Perhaps I may offer a reply. It was a conspiracy of fate and misspeaking — but well-meaning — relatives."
He looked directly at Colonel Fitzwilliam, who answered with a good-natured salute. "Guilty, as charged! But it would seem that, despite my interference, the end result has worked toward their happiness. And so I cannot be very sorry for it, but will take credit for their joyous union."
"How very 'Lady Catherine' of you!" Elizabeth teased.
William taunted him, "I suppose you knew we were a match all along."
There was no sound Elizabeth loved more than William's laughter when he surrendered to it. Soon, everyone at the table shared in his unbridled joy.
It was, Elizabeth thought as she smiled at the happy faces surrounding the dining room table, a conspiracy. But if life conspired to match her with Mr. Darcy, far be it from her to complain.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading The Elizabeth Conspiracy! Your support and feedback make the creation of these stories possible. I'd love to know what you thought of it, so please leave a review — I read all of them.
I'm grateful for all of the people who help me through the crazy process of writing, editing, and publishing a new story. From my husband who orders takeout when I think I can write a scene and make dinner at the same time (You'd think I'd learn that it ALWAYS burns!), to my mom (J Dawn King) who reads and rereads sections until the emotions are just right, to Anji who makes sure the vocabulary and idioms aren't too influenced by my rural Oregon upbringing and my multicultural family… I love you all and feel blessed to have you in my life.
