by Wells, Linda
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet spotted her and immediately took the chair by her side, while Jane and Mrs. Gardiner took their places. “What are you doing to keep Mr. Darcy interested?”
Her eyes grew wide and she saw her aunt’s close. “Interested? I … I do not understand, Mama.”
“He has left you, he may not ever return! He has gone back to his estate and he might get lost in his sport or find a new girl while he is there!”
“Fanny, do not be ridiculous, his home suffered a fire. Mr. Darcy will not be standing in his stream fishing!” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “He is not going to break his engagement to Lizzy! He is a man of honour. He will be back as soon as he can, and is undoubtedly very anxious to return! Why, he will not even arrive at Pemberley for days!”
“Oh Lizzy! He is so far away! He may die in a carriage accident!”
“Mama!” Elizabeth cried. “How can you say such things?”
“Mrs. Bennet, wailing over these ideas does nothing for our daughter. She misses him enough already, there is no need to make her fear for his safety or constancy.” Mr. Bennet spoke decisively. The three women looked at him in surprise.
Mrs. Bennet closed her mouth then turned back to Elizabeth. “Have you written to him?”
“No, not yet …”
“You must tell him things that will keep him attracted.” She rolled her eyes when Elizabeth looked confused. “Encourage him! Tell him that you find him handsome! Tell him of the night dress you have purchased … you have purchased something special have you not? OH! I must speak to you of your duties!”
“I believe I will depart now before I become ill.” Mr. Bennet stood and rapidly left.
“Mama, please …”
“Jane, leave the room.” Mrs. Bennet said determinedly then turned to Elizabeth. “Now, on your wedding night, Mr. Darcy …”
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Lady Matlock arrived with Alicia to take Elizabeth to Darcy House. The ladies came into the Gardiner home to pay their respects, and when they prepared to depart, Elizabeth paused to hold Jane’s hands. “Are you sure that Mr. Harwick will come today?”
“I am certain of it.” Jane said quietly. “I am grateful that Mama and Papa departed yesterday. I do not believe that I could abide Mama’s reaction when he ends it.”
“You do not know that he will!” Elizabeth said reassuringly.
Jane smiled and shook her head. “Go Lizzy. Take care of your Mr. Darcy.” Reluctantly Elizabeth left and Mrs. Gardiner whispered on her way out that she would take care of Jane whatever came. She climbed into the carriage with her future family and they set off.
“Is anything wrong, Elizabeth?” Alicia asked as they rode. “Or do you miss Darcy?”
“Of course she misses him.” Lady Matlock observed. “But I suspect this mood has more to do with her sister than Darcy.”
Elizabeth looked at her hands. “Your suspicions are correct, Aunt Helen.” Knowing when to drop a topic the other ladies filled the carriage with conversation until they reached their destination.
“This way My Lady.” Mrs. Mercer led them into Darcy’s study. “He left several stacks here. These are letters he has read and had agreed to the meetings proposed within, so they are the ones that need to be cancelled. A great many of these are invitations, he said that he did not much care if they were answered or not since none were from friends, and this is the post that came this morning. He said that if you wished, Miss Elizabeth, you may read the letters and forward anything that looked important to Pemberley, but if it was not, just leave it be and he would look at it when he returns.” She glanced around the room. “The girls have not been in to clean here yet, madam, please excuse …”
“No, that is fine Mrs. Mercer, I am certain that it was quite chaotic here when you sent him on his way.” Lady Matlock nodded and the housekeeper closed the door to the spotless room on her way out. “Now then, let us see what we have here.” She took a chair near the desk and looked at Elizabeth, who stood quietly, taking in the room and feeling Darcy’s presence all around her. “Elizabeth?”
“Oh, forgive me, I … I have never had the opportunity to really look at the decoration in here. Fitzwilliam …” She blushed as the memory of his warm caressing hands and his deep kisses washed over her.
“I imagine that he was distracting.” She smiled at Alicia who laughed, and pointed to Darcy’s chair. “Take a seat.”
“His chair?”
“Of course!” She laughed. “And definitely make a point of telling him that you sat there when you write.” Seeing another blush she smiled and picked up the first letter.
“When should he arrive?” Elizabeth asked and looked to the landscape of Pemberley, and hoped that this would be the view she would soon enjoy.
“Well, he should probably arrive at about this time the day after tomorrow.” She glanced at the clock. “Although knowing Darcy, he is probably pressing his driver to make as much progress as possible. I am actually surprised that he did not go on horseback, but it is a long journey.”
Elizabeth sank down in the enormous chair, running her fingers over the worn leather, and laid her hands in the depressions made over long years of occupation. Again she felt herself enclosed within his arms, in his lap, his hand sliding under her skirt … shaking off the overwhelming feeling, she tried to focus. “Was this Mr. Darcy’s chair?”
“I believe so, Darcy changed very little when he came to be master. I think this chair makes him feel that his father is with him.” She watched as Elizabeth settled in and became lost in thought. “Elizabeth.”
“Oh.” She sat up and blinked, the smooth feel of the solid leather warming under hand brought to mind the sensation of caressing Fitzwilliam’s rigid length and the pleasure she gave him. Blushing she whispered. “I am being silly.”
“No dear, not at all. It makes me very happy to see how preoccupied you are with him.” She looked down at the letter to give Elizabeth a moment to compose herself and nodded. “Very well then, as mistress you will spend a great deal of time with correspondence, of course yours will be of a social nature, but declining invitations will certainly be part of it. I will dictate the response and you will write it out. I will sign the letters on Darcy’s behalf.” She saw Elizabeth’s confusion and smiled. “You my dear; are only his betrothed. I am his aunt, and I can cancel an appointment where you …”
“Oh.” Elizabeth smiled. “Next month I could but not yet.”
“Precisely.” Lady Matlock nodded. “I suppose we could have had Henry’s secretary do this, but I did not want Darcy’s affairs exposed to anyone but family, not that there should be anything scandalous in these letters.”
“I wonder why he does not employ a man.” Alicia said.
“His father did not, so I imagine that Darcy never considered it for himself. In my opinion my brother took on all the tasks in an effort to remain constantly busy and forget my sister. I can see my nephew doing the same to occupy himself after his father died, not that he was in want of activity.” She watched Elizabeth studying the landscape thoughtfully. “He has made us very proud.”
“I am proud of him as well.” She said softly. “He was very …he was trying very hard not to show how …worried he was when we were alone, but he held me so desperately.” Elizabeth blushed and saw that Alicia was looking at her. “I should not have said that.”
“Dear, you would be fooling nobody to say that Darcy was not holding you.” Lady Matlock smiled.
“Audrey and I chose to give you a blind eye when you said your goodbyes, Elizabeth. It is only natural that you would wish to express yourselves when you cannot know the extent of your separation. Besides you will be married very soon.” Alicia added reassuringly.
Elizabeth relaxed and confessed a little more. “My aunt said that … physical expressions of love would come at the happiest and saddest times, not just every day.”
Lady Matlock glanced at her daughter-in-law then looked back to Elizabeth. “She is correct, and that i
s why nobody stopped you from comforting him. I assume that he did not press you …”
“No madam.” Elizabeth blushed again and sat up to take a pen and drew forward a sheet of paper. “Shall we begin?” Lady Matlock and Alicia regarded each other with raised brows. Elizabeth’s sudden desire for activity was telling, but they would not compel her to say more.
Over the next hour, Elizabeth wrote out letters and Lady Matlock signed them, all for appointments Darcy had made over the next fortnight, while Alicia read over the enormous stack of neglected invitations. “Quite a variety of interests.” His aunt said as she signed the last letter. “I wonder if Henry’s investments are so varied.”
“I thought it would be all livestock and crops, but he has railroads, mining, engines … and I was pleased to see the letter from my uncle.” She smiled and saw Lady Matlock nod.
“I believe that Darcy will do a very admirable job of expanding the wealth of his family.”
“So perhaps the loss of a wife with a substantial dowry will not be so painful.”
Alicia spoke up. “Why are you beating yourself about that? Darcy has had time to consider what such an alliance would mean. Even if you two did only just come together physically, he has had you in his thoughts for years if I am correct about the clues he has let drop over time. Do not tell me that he has not been far from your thoughts.” She saw that Elizabeth was focussed on her. “Just because the rest of the family was taken by surprise by his decision does not mean that he was.”
“Elizabeth, Darcy knows what he can afford to do. He will lose thirty thousand pounds when Georgiana marries, but that could be five or even ten years from now. That money is earning interest, and that interest will make up for some of its loss. Do not feel terrible for something that does not concern him.” She put the pile together, then looked through the invitations. “Hmmm, he is correct, none of these really require responses, but we will just write a note on each saying no thank you, and return them to the sender. These are all people wanting him present to get a look at you, and none of them are people you need to know.” She then turned to the new day’s post. “You go ahead and open the letters, and I will return. I would like to have a word with Mrs. Mercer. Oh, and Alicia, I saw the invitation from the Crearys’. If it is possible, Darcy and Elizabeth should attend that ball, it is in three weeks so perhaps he will have returned by then.” Alicia nodded and made sure that a note was written to accept that invitation.
Elizabeth picked up the letters that had just arrived while Alicia set to work on the rest of the invitations. Two letters were personal and as soon as she realized that she set them aside. One was a proposal asking for an investment and another was a charitable request. The last looked like it may be another personal letter, but quickly her hand went to her mouth and she gasped. “Fitzwilliam!” She cried out and dissolved into sobs.
“Elizabeth!” Lady Matlock rushed into the room, and seeing the letter crushed in her hand pried it out and began to read.
8 June 1809
Dear Mr. Darcy,
May I offer you my most sincere congratulations for your marriage to the daughter of my sponsor’s patron, your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh? I was thrilled and delighted to hear from Mrs. Darcy’s lips of your nuptials. While I am of course gravely disappointed that I could not perform the service myself, I can certainly understand why a man as distinguished as you would wish to be married by a bishop. Mrs. Darcy was glowing in the description of the ceremony, as could only be expected. I look forward to serving you and your family for many years, and despite Mrs. Darcy’s current delicate health, I am certain that very soon the halls of Rosings and your estate in Derbyshire will contain the happy sounds of your heir’s cry.
Have I mentioned that I am soon to take Holy Orders and currently serve as an assistant to Reverend Mousely? He sponsored me as I studied, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh indicated that she would award his living to me when he, regrettably, retires. I do hope that you will continue to follow her wishes? I would be very proud to serve a patron as eminent and powerful as you, sir.
Your servant,
William Collins
“Good heavens!” Lady Matlock said softly and looked to Elizabeth who was weeping and hugging herself.
Alicia hurried over and embraced her. “What happened?”
“Why? Why would he lie? Why would he marry her and … go through this charade with me? Why?” She sobbed.
“Elizabeth!” Lady Matlock said sharply. “Darcy did not marry his cousin! Now pull yourself together and stop this caterwauling immediately! How can you say that you love him and be so quick to distrust him! I am ashamed of you!”
Elizabeth gulped and took a breath. The verbal slap had the intended effect, and the initial shock from seeing anyone being called Mrs. Darcy besides herself faded. Lady Matlock handed her a handkerchief and poured her some wine. While returning the carafe to its place she looked at the grate in the fireplace and noticed some letters that Darcy had apparently set alight when he was arranging his desk, and did not burn completely. She recognized familiar handwriting on one and reached down to retrieve it. “This is from Catherine.” She turned it over and seeing the seal intact she nodded. “He never looked at it, naturally after he cut his ties with her, why would he?” Walking back over to the desk where Elizabeth sat trembling and wiping her eyes, Lady Matlock sat down and broke open the envelope, and began to read the singed page. “I see.” Wordlessly she handed the letter to Elizabeth and watched her take in the statement.
8 June 1809
Rosings
Dear Darcy,
Your cousin’s illness has expanded to the point where she believes herself to be your wife at all times, and has demanded that she be addressed as such. She asks why you have not come to Rosings, and has even gone so far as to describe your wedding to our pastor’s assistant, Mr. Collins. He would like to announce the news of your wedding to the world; of course. I have asked him to delay until you arrive to take your place at Anne’s side. There is no other choice. To protect the word of Anne’s delusions from being spread and therefore protect the family name, as well as yours and Georgiana’s reputations, you must do your duty and marry her.
She is ill, the fever remains unabated, and I doubt she will live long. It is not such a terrible sacrifice for you, is it? You will have Rosings. I know that you prefer Pemberley so I will remain here to care for the estate in your absence. She will die and you will be free to marry that Bennet woman if you find it so distasteful to simply take her as your mistress.
I expect you to arrive very soon, the servants have heard everything; it is only a matter of time before word of your marriage to Anne spreads.
Sincerely,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
“That horrid woman!” Elizabeth declared. Her eyes flashed in anger and she looked up to see Lady Matlock nodding her head approvingly. “How DARE she foist her unbalanced daughter on my Fitzwilliam! He would not bend to such demands, would he?”
“No dear, Darcy deeply believes in duty and honour, but there are some things that he absolutely will not do, and as much as he loves his family, he dearly loves you. He would not accept Catherine’s demand that he marry Anne before this occurred, so I doubt that he would now. If he had read this letter before leaving, I wonder which crisis he would have addressed first.” She said thoughtfully and looked at the furious woman glaring at the letter in her hands. “I think that he would have chosen you.”
Alicia put a comforting arm around Elizabeth and looked to Lady Matlock. “What do we do? Gossip of this nature will not be contained. I cannot imagine the staff at Rosings being particularly loyal to Lady Catherine.”
“I suggest that we go to Matlock House and apprise my husband of his sister’s activities. He is the head of the family, and it is he who must control her.” Lady Matlock rose and gathered together the letters they had prepared, placed Lady Catherine’s and Collins’ letters in her reticule and watched Elizabeth stand shaki
ly. She embraced her and smiled. “Come my dear, now that the shock has worn off, I would like to see how the true mistress of Pemberley conducts herself in a crisis.”
“I will do whatever is necessary.” Elizabeth took a steadying breath and joined her aunt, but paused to look once again at Pemberley before she walked out the door.
“THE POST, SIR.” Lord Matlock nodded and returned to the letter he was composing. He was putting his papers in order before leaving for an afternoon session at the House of Lords. His work was interrupted by his wife’s voice.
“Henry!” She said angrily. “Your sister is a manipulative hag.”
He coughed and smiled. “What brings this on?” Then noticing Elizabeth standing behind her, his smile fell away. “Have you been crying, dear?”
“Yes she has, and with good reason.” Lady Matlock placed the letters on his desk. “Go ahead, read them! The first was in Darcy’s post this morning the second was in his grate, unopened.”
He read the first and his jaw dropped. “Who is this fool?” He looked at the signature. “Collins? Is he as barking mad as Anne?”
“Read on, Husband.” Lady Matlock said dryly.
He picked up his sister’s letter and stood, “What devil has possessed her? What spawn formed her?” He paced the room vigorously as he thought and fumed. “It is all a ploy to keep her in Rosings; she could give a …bloody care if her daughter dies, so long as she was married to Darcy!”
“That we know, Henry. Do not point out the obvious, let us address the solution.”
“Forgive me Helen, you had your opportunity to react, and I am taking mine.” He glared at her and saw Elizabeth’s uncertain gaze running between the couple. He sighed. “We are not arguing, dear.”
Lady Matlock saw her wide eyes and patted her hand. “Darcy will exasperate you, too.”
“Oh.”
Lord Matlock dropped into his chair, and scanned over the letters lying before him, his eyes drifted to the day’s post and on top he noticed a letter from Rosings, but it was not in his sister’s hand. “Ah.” He reached for it and broke the paste seal, and checked the signature. “I asked Mrs. Jenkinson to apprise me of any unusual events at Rosings. She has done as I bid.” Quickly he scanned the page and put it down as he became lost in thought. Sighing loudly Lady Matlock stood and snatched the letter, and returned to her chair to read, then handed it over to Elizabeth.
