The Only Way: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice

by Ola Wegner

  “Oh, no!” Elizabeth exclaimed, jerking as she sat up straight. She reread the second paragraph of Mary’s letter again, eager to be certain that she understood the meaning correctly. “That cannot be! What is Mama thinking to allow such a thing?”

  Roused by her sudden movement, Darcy lifted his head from her lap. “What?! What happened?”

  “Mama has agreed for Lydia to go to Brighton for the summer,” she explained, frowning at the letter in her hand.

  “During her mourning?” Darcy questioned incomprehensibly, still not quite awake from his recent nap.

  “It is tragic, simply tragic,” Elizabeth moaned, clenching the letter as she stood and began to pace.

  Darcy reached to take the now slightly crumbled letter from his wife’s trembling hand. Rubbing his eyes and stifling a small yawn with his fist, he began to read.

  “It is clearly written here that Lydia accepted the invitation of Colonel Foster’s wife,” he said after a moment.“Surely it is not so bad if she is to stay under the care of the colonel of the regiment—and in their house at that?”

  “How can you say so, Fitzwilliam?”Elizabeth cried passionately, her voice laced with desperation. “You met Harriet Foster. She the silliest, most irresponsible and empty headed woman in the country, and the worst possible company for Lydia! As long as Papa lived he was able to curb Lydia, to somehow tame her wild behaviour. He was the only person to whom she would listen. Now, without Papa here, she is most surely lost to any reason. I am certain that if she should go to Brighten, she will soon be lost to us forever.”

  Darcy stood up, pulling her gently into his arms. “Love, you worry too much about something of which you have little to no control,” he murmured thickly.

  She locked her eyes with his. “Jane knows nothing about it, because if she did she would have surely mentioned this matter in her letter. I can only imagine how badly Lydia will behave while unsupervised in Brighton with all those officers about! If she returns home with her virtue intact, I would be very much surprised.”

  “Are you not exaggerating? Surely she would not allow… she is so young.”Darcy stuttered.

  “She would, believe me,” Elizabeth said passionately, shuddering in his arms. “Last summer Jane and I caught her with the stable boy near the hedgerows. She had the upper part of her dress completely removed and his hand was under her skirts. She did not seem displeased with his actions and she had just turned fifteen. She is now a year older.”

  “What happened after that? What was your father’s reaction?”

  Elizabeth sighed. “Papa did not beat her—he never used force with any of us— but she was not allowed to leave the house for weeks. Later, however, all was forgotten as if it had never happened. Mama just seemed pleased that nothing more serious had transpired, if you know my meaning.”

  Darcy frowned, pausing for a moment. “I think that only your uncle, Mr. Gardiner, might influence your mother to change her mind and refuse to let Lydia go.”

  “You are right, of course! You are perfectly right!” she exclaimed, new hope rising in her voice. “Uncle Gardiner is the only person who can convince Mama that allowing Lydia to go to Brighton, without even one reasonable person to watch over her, is a disaster in the making. The Gardiners, however, know nothing about what happened last summer. I must write to them today, informing them of the situation and asking for their help.”

  “It is late and you are tired.” Darcy interjected. “Wait until tomorrow.”

  “We go to Matlock early in the morning,” she protested. “There will be no time for letter writing tomorrow. I must send it as soon as can be as there is no time to tarry.”

  He hugged her close to him, kissing her forehead. “Try not to stay up too long, my love. I know they are your family, but I hate to see you so worried.”

  With those words, he stepped away and entered the bedroom, leaving her alone in their private sitting room to attend to her most urgent business.

  He hoped that she was exaggerating her expectations concerning her younger sister, for if she was not, trouble would follow. And that kind of trouble he would rather not have to deal with.

  With a heavy sigh, Darcy pulled back the counterpane and slid under the covers to await his wife and another night of passionate love making.

  Chapter Twenty- Nine

  “And here is the coin that I acquired lately from a university professor in Edinburgh. It is the newest of my collection and was issued during the reign of James VI of Scotland, late sixteenth century just prior to him becoming James I of England,” Lord Matlock declared, handing the coin to Darcy.

  Darcy took the gold piece between his fingers, examining it with great interest. The Earl of Matlock’s passion for acquiring antique coins was well known in the family, and Darcy himself had added a few items to his collection in the past.

  “It cannot, of course, compare with the coins I received from your father—the ones dating back to the Roman rule in Britain. Not many people in the country have those. They are a true treasure—one I shall always keep.”

  Darcy nodded, remembering the story he had heard many times from his parents as a child. During the time when his father had been courting his mother, there had been an occurrence at Pemberley. It seemed that while building the new addition to the stables a small pot had been found containing several old coins. His father had recognised that they were quite old, but having little interest in such matters, and at the same time being aware of the Earl of Matlock’s passion for all things historical, brought them to Matlock upon his next visit. Lady Anne, Darcy’s mother, had claimed that this one event had convinced her brother to give his approval to their union.

  “Unfortunately, neither Richard nor Henry seem to show any interest in my collection,” the Earl of Matlock continued, the sadness in his voice obvious. “When I am gone, no one will care enough to add to it.”

  Darcy clasped the older man’s arm. “You are in good health Uncle, and many years are yet before you.” His words did not seem to lift the man’s spirit, so he added, “Perhaps one of your grandchildren will be interested in your collection.”

  “I would prefer to leave it to the museum than to one of those little devils!” the Earl whispered loudly, looking with accusation across the room where his daughter-in-law, the mother of said grandchildren, was sitting by the fireplace with Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Lady Eleanor. “Little rascals... cruel brats they are! Can you imagine what the older one did this last week? Why the little imp tortured your aunt’s cat, Miss Pat. Poor animal has not dared to leave our private rooms till this day.” Shifting closer, he beckoned with his hand for Darcy to lean down. “I asked Henry to take his family to London, or to the house in Bath, so we may have some peace in our own home, but he will not! He says he prefers for them to stay in the country. It seems she fell into terrible debt during their last season in London. So now he leaves her here with us and goes his own way, not giving a second thought as to what we must suffer!”

  Darcy watched as his uncle’s face turned red and drops of sweat appeared on his temples. “May I fetch you a glass of water?” he asked with concern.

  Shaking his head no, the Earl of Matlock began closing the large, leather bound case that held his treasures. Speaking in hushed tones, he continued, “I doubt whether your aunt and I can stand this much longer. We may be forced to live in Bath.”

  “You always claimed to hate Bath, Uncle,” Darcy reminded him quietly.

  “What else are we to do?” The earl looked at him, his eyes blank and glossy. “We only want peace and quiet in our old age.”

  Darcy fell silent, trying in vain to find the right words to say in order to console him. Henry’s wife, born to the house of the Duke of Richmond, was spoiled and cruel, and everyone in the family felt the sting of her vindictiveness rather painfully. She had always been quite polite to Darcy, though and he suspected he knew why. The fact that she had two unmarried younger sisters vying for his attention would have been
reason enough.

  “Uncle, I want you to know that you and Aunt are always welcome at Pemberley if the situation here becomes unbearable for you,” he assured sincerely.

  “Thank you.” The older man nodded, his voice trembling with emotion. “You are a good boy Darcy. You always have been a good friend to our Richard and your wife seems to be a sound choice despite her lack of connections and a proper dowry. Your aunt and Richard think very highly of her.”

  Darcy’s eyes went to the other end of the room where the women were seated. Elizabeth’s face was calm and polite, as she listened intently to what Lady Eleanor was saying. Neither her posture nor expression suggested that she might be upset. The awareness that Elizabeth was perfectly capable of protecting herself against malicious remarks—which she had proved many times—not only standing up to Caroline Bingley, but to Lady Catherine, and at times to him, did not ease his concern. Her spirits had not yet recovered after Mr. Bennet’s death, and she was much more vulnerable than when he had met her last autumn. He excused his uncle’s company and walked across the room towards the women.

  “Darcy,” the Viscountess of Rockford exclaimed as she noticed him approach them. “We have just been talking about you.” She raised her chin in smug confidence.

  Darcy said nothing to this as his eyes rested upon his wife. Moving to stand behind her chair, he put a hand on her small shoulder causing her to turn and look up at him with a reassuring smile. He returned it. It never failed to warm his heart when her dark eyes sparkled with amusement as they did now.

  “I was telling Mrs. Darcy how many hearts were broken when the news of your upcoming nuptials reached Town.” Lady Rockford looked directly at him.“ My own sisters were desolate with grief, I assure you. The most desirable bachelor caught by a country girl from Hertfordshire who was unknown to anyone.” She laughed loudly, her gaze shitting from Darcy to Elizabeth. “Tell me, Mrs. Darcy, how you can possibly sleep peacefully at night knowing that your husband was so sought after and desired by the most beautiful, fashionable and accomplished women of the ton. You cannot imagine how fortunate a woman with your background is to have accomplished what so many others could not.”

  Darcy felt his hand clench on Elizabeth’s shoulder with more force than he ever intended to use when touching her. He lessened the pressure only when he felt her small, cool hand cover his.

  Elizabeth smiled brightly at Lady Rockford, her eyes dancing with merriment. “You guessed correctly. My nights are far from peaceful; however, the reason for it is quite the opposite of what you might imagine. My thoughts and attention during the night are completely taken by my husband—and I assure you, Lady Rockford, it is not his bachelor past which occupies us.”

  Darcy bit his lower lip hard, fighting the urge to laugh out loud as he observed the expression on Lady Rockford’s face once she realised what Elizabeth had said. He doubted whether the woman would ever again try to embarrass his wife with cruel remarks. Then, to his great consternation, he remembered his baby sister was among the company and his eyes darted to Georgiana. Her gaze was lowered as she sipped her tea, but he could swear that there was a satisfied smirk upon her lips.

  Relieved that his sister did not seem particularly disturbed with the direction of the conversation, he put his hands on both sides of Elizabeth’s arms and leaned forward. “If you will excuse us Aunt, I wish to show Mrs. Darcy around the grounds. She is very fond of the outdoors, and I do not believe she has had the opportunity to see the entire park yet.”

  “Of course, off you go! We understand,” Lady Eleanor offered hastily, obviously relieved at the change of subject.

  Darcy offered his arm, which Elizabeth accepted with a beautiful smile as her eyes locked with his. A smile graced his lips as well. Each time she gazed at him in such a manner his chest tightened pleasurably.

  They walked for quite a while before Elizabeth spoke, getting right to the point. “Why did your cousin marry such a woman? Was it a love match?”

  Darcy laughed mirthlessly. “Hardly. It was time for him to marry, I suppose. My uncle was eager for an heir to assure the line, and so he strongly advised my cousin to seek a wife. The daughter of the Duke of Richmond, in theory, was a good match for him. She is from an honourable family and had a large dowry.”

  “Could he not have found someone kinder, less vicious?”

  “I do not know the exact circumstances of their courtship; I was just beginning university when they were courting. Later when I had opportunity, I was never curious enough to ask about it. Henry and I were never particularly close, you see. However, I will say that for the son of an earl to marry the daughter of a duke is considered a splendid match. Personalities, as well as likes and dislikes, are normally not taken into consideration in matters of marriage. Rarely does one from our rank marry for love as it is a luxury we cannot afford.”

  While her husband spoke so casually, Elizabeth pondered his words carefully. Rarely does one from our rank marry for love. And yet her husband claimed to love her and had fought very hard for them to be together.

  “Lady Rockford reminds me of Caroline Bingley,” Elizabeth declared at last.

  “I think that Caroline Bingley might quite easily grow into Lady Rockford if she had the right connections and was titled.”

  They strolled along in silence until Elizabeth eyed a stone bench under a large oak tree. She released his arm, taking a seat. Stretching out her hand, she patted the place next to her, indicating that she wanted Darcy to join her.

  “Is it allowed here?” she questioned, shifting with her back to his chest.

  “This?” he murmured, kissing her neck as his arm wound around her waist bringing her closer.

  She nodded, closing her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder. “Everyone can see us. Such public acts of affection may be frowned upon.”

  “Do you think that I care?”

  “You have changed.” She covered his arm with her hand.

  “I must disagree. When we met for the first time, you perceived that I was very private person, but you did not see this part of me. Still waters run deep and things are not always as they appear.”

  She said nothing for a moment, but only stared into the gardens beyond. “I like the landscaping at Pemberley much better. French gardens like these are beautiful, to be certain, but are much too controlled for my taste.”

  He squeezed her tightly. “Nothing can compare to Pemberley, my love.”

  Turning in his arms, she studied his face. “Please say we will return home tomorrow.”

  His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Two days earlier than was planned? I thought that you were enjoying the visit.”

  “I am enjoying it.”

  He frowned. “Is it Lady Rockford? Did she say something hurtful to you?”

  She shook her head. “She does not bother me, nor will her attempts at unsettling me succeed. Nevertheless, she made me realize how much I appreciate what we have at Pemberley. It is not common for some families to genuinely love and respect one another. After a long day, most would expect to spend time with their loved ones in peaceful harmony—deriving joy from each other’s company without quarrels, misunderstandings and pettiness. It is something we have at Pemberley, have we not?”

  “We certainly have,” Darcy confirmed with no little emotion. He was not certain whether she had even noticed that she had used the word love.

  “We certainly lacked it at Longbourn, although I often witnessed such a home when visiting the Gardiners,” Elizabeth stated earnestly. “It is rare enough that we should not forget our good fortune.”

  “My wise, Lizzy,” Darcy murmured, capturing her lips with his in a chaste but tender kiss.

  “What about Georgiana? Do you suppose she may be displeased with our early return?”

  “I doubt it. She is very eager to see the Gardiners again. I dare say your aunt and the children especially.”

  “Aunt Madeline is certainly a person whom every woman would like t
o have for a friend.”

  “It is settled then,” Darcy said, lifting fluidly to his feet and extending his hand as he helped Elizabeth to stand as well. “I know that you would wish to stay in the gardens longer, but I do not like those clouds. Rain threatens and I do not want you to get wet.”

  Nodding her head, Elizabeth accepted his arm and they strolled slowly back to the manor.

  ***

  The Matlocks expressed their displeasure at the news that the Darcys wished to abandon their company earlier than initially planned. Lady Eleanor attempted to change Elizabeth and Georgiana’s mind, promising a picnic and a shopping trip in the village. Darcy gave Georgiana the choice of staying longer, but she refused without any visible regret.

  The return home proved to be joyful for everyone. Reaching Pemberley, Georgiana ran to grab her music sheets and then to her pianoforte, while Darcy hurried to greet his horses. Elizabeth was happy to take a long walk around the park, amazed that she had managed to grow so attached to Pemberley in such a short time. She had begun to consider it a magical place with wild, untamed beauty, isolated from the outer world by hills and forests. And she understood why her husband was so proud of his ancestral home and could not hold his pride in all that he held dear against him. She was beginning to realize that she was now a part of all that he cherished. He had defied convention, marrying for love and she felt humbled by this knowledge, though she failed to understand what she had done to deserve such good fortune. Of all she surveyed, she was mistress.

  ***

  The day of the Gardiners’ arrival, Elizabeth spent her morning checking to see if everything was prepared for their visit. It was to be the first time since Georgiana was a child that small children would inhabit the house, and Elizabeth devoted much attention to readying the nursery. She had not discussed the details with her aunt, but she had one room prepared for the twins and little Fred, for whom a small bed was secured from the attic. There was a separate bed for Anne, who was to stay in one of the regular guest bedrooms. Elizabeth and Georgiana thought that the older girl would appreciate being treated like a young lady. Naturally, the arrangements could easily be changed if Aunt Madeline had different ideas.