“It is a matter of extreme importance, Mr Bennet, as your daughter’s marriage to Mr Darcy will end up being annulled as soon as his beloved aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is my esteemed patroness, learns of it. According to Lady Catherine, Mr Darcy is engaged to her own daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh. It is my understanding that the engagement has been since their births, and was the wish of both of their mothers.”
“Mr Darcy is married to my daughter, and he has stated to me that there was nothing to prevent his marriage to my Lizzy. Why should I believe you over the word of Mr Darcy?”
“Sir, Mr Darcy is used to having his way, and must have thought he could enjoy the pleasures of such a pretty young thing before entering into marriage with his betrothed. Or, perhaps, he was feverish and out of his mind when he decided to marry Miss Elizabeth. Either way, your daughter will require protection when she is left abandoned and ruined.”
“I suppose you wish to be the one to protect her when Darcy abandons her.” Mr Bennet could see what his cousin was getting to. “Of course, cousin, as I was betrothed to her with the approval of her most devoted mother. It would be most proper for my marrying Miss Elizabeth, and it would protect her reputation, as well as the reputations of the rest of your family.”
“There is no need to fret over my daughter’s marriage, or her reputation. You will not need to make any sacrifices to take my Lizzy as your wife, as I am sure that Mr Darcy is a man of honor.”
“He cannot be truly honorable if he marries your daughter while engaged to his own cousin. In my opinion, you would be wise to demand restitution for the harm Mr Darcy has brought to your daughter’s reputation. It is well known amongst society that Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh are betrothed.”
“Obviously, Mr Darcy did not agree with this notion, as he married Elizabeth. I will ask you to refrain from any further talk of an engagement between Mr Darcy and his cousin. Now, I am going to tend my youngest daughter. You had best rest and recover your own health so you will be able to return to your home.”
Mr Bennet made his way down the row of cots to the one where his daughter, Lydia, was resting. Once he had left, Mr Collins began to formulate a plan of action. As soon as possible, he would send an express letter to Lady Catherine. Whether Mr Bennet agreed or not, Mr Darcy would be forced to comply with the demands of his family.
~~ ** ~~ The epidemic finally came to an end. Of the four and twenty families in the neighborhood, as well as the people in the village of Meryton, the tenant families and the servants, over one hundred people had taken ill with scarlet fever. There was not a family or estate which was not affected by the illness.
Sir William and Lady Lucas had lost their eldest daughter, Charlotte, to the fever. This was as difficult for Elizabeth to witness as was the death of her sister, Mary. Charlotte had been Elizabeth’s dearest friend aside from Jane. The Lucas’ younger daughter, Maria, was disfigured with scars from the rash, and this had sent the young girl into a severe depression. The eldest Lucas son, Robert, lost his wife to the fever, as well as his unborn child.
The Gouldings lost their son, and Mrs Goulding was weakened from the damage of the fever. Of course, Mrs Long lost her niece, but she also lost her own life as well. Of the community, one in every three either died or was left with lasting effects from the disease. The neighborhood was overwhelmed with loss and damage.
Mr Hale was pleased the epidemic was over. His own granddaughter had taken sick, and perished. Mrs Hale had become despondent at the loss, as their daughter had died in childbirth, leaving the little girl behind. The Hale’s son in law had been killed in war.
The entire community would require time to recover from the epidemic, and it would be difficult for life to return to where it was. Slowly, the ballroom of Netherfield Park was emptied and then, finally, the last patient left for home.
The Bennets returned to Longbourn, though Mr Collins made his way to Hunsford, to his cottage. Mr Bennet knew it would not be the last they heard from the man, as Mr Collins made his intention of making facts known to his patroness, Lady Catherine. The clergyman was certain Lady Catherine would wish to speak with her nephew immediately after she learned of his alleged marriage to Elizabeth. And Mr Collins was prepared to assist the grand lady in any way possible.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 7 The most difficult change for Elizabeth was the fact that she was now married. She would no longer live at her father’s house, but would stay at Netherfield. Bingley had rooms prepared for the newlywed couple, and had a maid assigned to tend to Elizabeth’s needs while at Netherfield.
The first night the couple had to themselves, began quite uncomfortable. Darcy and Elizabeth were both nervous, not certain how to behave with the other. After dining early, the couple excused themselves. Darcy went to his dressing room, where his valet, Foster, waited to assist him.
Elizabeth was met in her dressing room by the maid who had been assigned to her. Sally was a kind young lady, who had not been a lady’s maid before, but was very willing to be of assistance. Sally assisted Mrs Darcy from her gown and into a beautiful cream colored silk nightgown with matching robe. The nightgown was like nothing Elizabeth had ever worn before, and she was feeling uncomfortable as she sat before the peer glass at the vanity while Sally took down her hair. As Sally brushed out the dark brown locks of Elizabeth’s hair, Elizabeth closed her eyes and relaxed.
The sound of someone knocking on the door brought Elizabeth back to the reality before her. “Enter.” She called out. The door opened and Darcy peeked around the edge of the door.
“I was wondering if you wished to join me in our private sitting room. I had the fire built up and we have some books and a chess board to keep us from boredom.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I would enjoy meeting you in the sitting room. I believe Sally has finished with me for the time being.” Rising from her seat, Elizabeth bit her lower lip between her teeth when she heard her husband’s sudden intake of breath. Looking into his eyes, she could see the approval Darcy held for her appearance. He held out his arm, and she placed her hand gently on it, allowing him to lead her into the sitting room.
Darcy motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa, and once she was seated, Darcy sat down beside her. “I know you are nervous, my dearest Lizzy. I am nervous too. We have not had much time to speak of our future and our relationship. If you wish, I would like to talk now.”
Elizabeth nodded her head. “I agree, we should be able to speak openly.” “My love, I know our marriage was rushed, and we have not had time since then to be together. I wish for you to know that if you need more time to become comfortable with the idea of intimacy, I am willing to wait.”
“I am grateful, William. I have not had time to speak with my aunt in Town. She promised to speak openly with me as to what to expect in marriage. As you said, we were rushed, and then had so much to deal with during the crisis. I prayed you would be understanding.”
Darcy placed a hand to gently caress his wife’s delicate cheek. “You are not the only one who is new to this experience.”
Looking at her husband, Elizabeth noticed a slight blush rise on his cheeks. “Are you telling me…are you saying that you have…not…” “My father sat me down before I left for the university. He told me that my grandfather and great grandfather were firm believers in love matches in marriage. And, as they strove to have such marriages, they did not believe in relationships with other women. If I am not mistaken, it stems back to my great great grandparents and the relationship they had in their marriage. That was Alfred and Genevieve Darcy. Alfred was striving for all the riches he could bring to his family, thus he married a lady with a large dowry. He did not honor his wife, and had a mistress in Town. Alfred also had many affairs in his lifetime. My great grandfather, Harlan, watched the bitterness in his parents and saw how sad their marriage was. He vowed to never be like them, wishing for a love match. It came to a point when, having learned that he had a bastard brother, a brot
her he could never publically acknowledge or even speak of in front of his mother, Harlan decided he would never put his family through such a situation.”
“This was a wise decision on your great grandfather’s part.” Elizabeth said softly. “He was very happy with his decision, and felt that it made his wedding night, as well as every day of his life with my great grandmother, more wonderful than anyone else’s relationship.” Darcy smiled. “I have never wished to be like the young men with whom I went to school, sowing their wild oats and concurring every female they could find. I wished to wait for the lady to whom I gave my heart. And it is you, the one who holds my heart, who also wins every part of me. If I wish to have a virtuous wife, how can I not be the same in return? So, I sit here beside you, telling you that our married life will be new in all aspects, for us to learn together.”
“Are you as nervous as I am?” Elizabeth asked, unable to lift her eyes to meet his. Lifting her chin with his finger, and waited until she looked into his eyes. “I am nervous, but I know that I have a beloved wife at my side and neither of us have preconceived notions of what to expect. Our relations will be unique to us, and us alone.” Darcy leaned forward, taking possession of Elizabeth’s lips.
The kiss deepened, with Elizabeth matching his ardor. His tongue prodded her lips to open, and once they did, he explored her mouth as her tongue did the same in his. Their passion grew with each moment, and it was not long before Darcy’s hands began to wander about her body. Elizabeth’s hands soon began to unbutton her husband’s nightshirt, before they slipped inside the fabric and caressed his chiseled chest.
The night was long and filled with pleasure, as the couple consummated their marriage several times. The following morning, no one was surprised to find the couple missing from breakfast, and Bingley and Hurst shared more than a few chuckles at the newlyweds’ expense.
~~ ** ~~ Later that day, a commotion was heard at the entrance of Longbourn. Mr Hill sent his wife to notify Mr Bennet, who was in his study, of an unexpected visitors. Mr Hill attempted to keep the visitors contained, but they were attempting to push past him when Mr Bennet came towards them.
“What is the meaning of this? Mr Collins, what has happened to bring you here in this manner?” Mr Bennet asked in a heated voice.
“Mr Bennet, I felt it necessary to come with my patroness, for I could not leave her to the mercy of my relations on her own.”
“What are you expecting me to do to this lady? Do you think I will forget to act as a gentleman?”
“Mr Collins, I insist you forget this nonsense and locate the country chit immediately. I demand to speak with her at once.” Lady Catherine declared. “Of course, Lady Catherine, I will find Miss Elizabeth right away.” Mr Collins was groveling. Turning towards his cousin, he inquired. “Is Miss Elizabeth in the house or is she out for one of her walks?”
Mr Bennet was furious with the behavior of the visitors. “How dare you enter my home in such a manner, and then demand the location of one of my daughters? You have no authority in this house, and I do not have to give you the information you wish.”
“How dare you? Do you know who I am? I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and I will not tolerate the likes of you treating me in such a manner. I demand to see this chit, I assume she is your daughter. You must know that she will never succeed in capturing my nephew, as he is already engaged to my daughter. Any marriage ceremony that was performed cannot be legal, and I will see that an annulment is issued immediately. My nephew must be made to marry my daughter as soon as the annulment is acquired.”
“Your nephew was quite aware of what he was doing, and he made the decision to marry my daughter. It is legal and binding. What grounds can you have to annul the marriage?”
“On the grounds that they have not yet consummated the marriage. Mr Collins stated that they did not take time away from their duties in helping those who were ill, therefore, they could not have made their marriage true.”
“If there were any questions of the marriage being consummated before, there is none now.” Charles Bingley stated as he was shown into the entryway. “They have been locked away in their suite since last night, and have had their meals brought to them. From the sounds I heard as I walked past, there is no doubt in my mind they have consummated, and multiple times.” Turning to Mr Bennet, Bingley gave a slight bow. “Forgive me, Sir, I did not mean to be crass with regards to your daughter. I only meant to give witness to the fact that Lady Catherine is incorrect in her belief.”
Mr Bennet tried desperately to hide his grin. “No offense was meant, so none is taken, Mr Bingley. I believe you have come to see my eldest daughter. She is in the room off the kitchen where my daughters dry flowers and herbs. Mrs Hill, would you show Mr Bingley there?”
“Of course, Mr Bennet.” “Oh, Lady Catherine, I would like to take the opportunity to inform you that you will not be granted access to my home, even though I am not there. I left strict orders that my guests were not to be disturbed, and my butler is not one to be intimidated.” Bingley turned and followed Mrs Hill, both of whom were smiling.
Mr Bennet returned his attention to the uninvited guests. “I have a pile of work on my desk to which I must see, so I believe it is time for you to depart from my home. I should also add my knowledge of Mr Bingley’s staff. Mr Jeffers is not at all intimidated by the likes of you, so attempting to force your way into Netherfield to make demands of my son in law will not succeed.”
“Come, Mr Collins. I know how to proceed now. I will take matters into my own hands now.”
~~ ** ~~ Lord and Lady Matlock were preparing to enter the dining room of their townhouse to enjoy their dinner when the butler announced his sister had arrived. “There goes any plans for a pleasant meal together. I wonder what Catherine has to speak with us about that brings her to Town.”
“Henry, we must take action immediately.” Lady Catherine nearly shouted as she entered the room. “Our nephew has foolishly taken up with a country nobody, and we must break the marriage, so he and my Anne may marry as soon as possible.”
“What are you talking of, Catherine?” Lady Matlock asked, surprised at her sister in law’s words.
“Are you telling us that Darcy has married?” Lord Matlock asked. “Why would he not inform us of his wedding?” “He married some country chit who used her arts and allurement to trap him into a marriage. She was promised to my clergyman, Mr Collins. But she had aspirations for better things, so she forced herself upon our nephew. We must move to protect him, before it is too late.”
Lady Matlock was shocked. “We had heard William was at his friend’s estate in Hertfordshire. From what Richard told us, there was an outbreak of scarlet fever.”
“Yes, yes, and it was during this outbreak that the chit wormed her way to become close with our nephew.” Lady Catherine said. “What can be done to end this sham of a marriage, and Darcy can do what he was born to do?”
“We can speak with the solicitor tomorrow, Catherine.” Lord Matlock stated. “It is too late to achieve any answers tonight.” “This cannot wait, Henry. Send someone to Mr Laub’s home, ask him to come immediately. We must put a stop to this before word reaches the ton. It is not only Darcy’s reputation we must protect, but my Anne’s reputation as well.”
Lord Matlock knew there would be no appeasing his sister unless he gave in to her request. “Very well. Give me a moment to write a message to Laub.”
“I believe we should speak to Richard, see what he knows of the situation, before we rush forward into speaking with the solicitor.” Lady Matlock stated. “For all we know, William married the young lady due to affection he has for her. Richard and William are close, and they have been corresponding during the crisis in Hertfordshire.”
Lady Catherine turned towards her sister in law with fury. “What difference does it make? Darcy was to marry Anne, therefore he cannot be married to anyone else. This has been planned, since their births. My dear sister, Lady Anne, wished for the u
nion of our children. We spoke of their life together for years.”
“You forget, Catherine, I was Anne’s dearest friend.” Lady Matlock declared. “Anne never spoke of William marrying your daughter. The only time she ever spoke of William’s decision to marry was her hope he would find someone who would love him and cherish her beloved son.”
“You were never as close to Anne as I was.” Lady Catherine spat out her words. “A bond between sisters is much closer than simple friends. Anne was very devoted to her son’s marrying her namesake. Anne was fond of my dearest daughter, and often spoke of my Anne becoming the next Mistress of Pemberley.”
Lady Matlock stood her ground. “Anne knew your daughter was of a sickly nature, and she knew your Anne would never be able to have children. What good would such a wife do for William? He must have an heir, not a wife who would bring nothing to their marriage.”
“Good lady, my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has the utmost faith in her daughter’s ability to bear children. Due to her cautious watch over her daughter, Miss de Bourgh has not overtaxed herself and caused her health any harm which would prevent her from leading a full and productive marriage.” Mr Collins stated. “I have seen for myself the care Lady Catherine has bestowed upon her daughter, and Miss de Bourgh is quite grateful for her mother’s guidance. And it is Miss de Bourgh’s greatest desire to marry her cousin. It is only my own cousin who has caused this wedding to be delayed, as Miss Elizabeth Bennet has attempted to lay claim to Mr Darcy. I will attest to the fact that I am betrothed to Miss Elizabeth, as her mother gave me the wonderful news when Mr Bennet was taken ill with scarlet fever and was removed from his estate of Longbourn. It was a shock that Mr Bennet recovered, though, I am sad to admit, his mind is addled from the illness. My great patroness is kind enough to assist me in having my cousin committed, which will allow me to take possession of my inheritance sooner than expected.”
Lord Matlock was concerned. “You say that the country chit who has fooled Darcy into marriage has a father who is not mentally capable, so she maneuvered the situation to her advantage? If her father is declared incompetent, who is the next male in her family to make decisions?”
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