by Wells, Linda
“I understand that a parlour wedding is the height of fashion, Mama.” Kitty said. “I saw it in The Ladies’ Magazine. Only a wedding by special license can be in a parlour.”
“Well, yes I know that, but nobody here will see him! I have had no opportunity to show him around to the neighbours!”
“I believe that Mr. Darcy would prefer to keep it that way.” Mr. Bennet stood and put down his napkin. “Mary, would you come with me to the bookroom, please.”
Mary followed him in nervously; this was a very rare invitation. “Yes, Papa?”
“Please close the door, and take a seat.” He took up the letters that had arrived from London and watched his daughter sit ramrod straight in the chair that was formerly Elizabeth’s domain. “I have some news. Your sister Elizabeth will be married tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow! But why?”
“Call it an anxious groom.” He laughed and saw that she did not understand and cleared his throat. “Mr. Darcy would like to enjoy the rest of the Season with a wife by his side, then take her home to his estate.”
“Oh, I suppose that would be better, then Lizzy can be introduced to his friends this year.”
“Exactly.” He paused and continued. “I will be making the trip to town, and I would like you to come with me.”
“Me?” She said with surprise, “But what of Mama?”
“No, she …I have my reasons for leaving her at home. However, the reason that I ask you to come with me is because your uncle has arranged a tour of a girl’s school, and I would like to hear your opinion.”
Mary’s mouth gaped. “A school, you really do mean to send us to school?”
“Yes, I was not joking when I mentioned that at dinner. I regret very much not sending your elder sisters to school, or employing a governess for all of you. I can only afford to send you at first, but by the time you return, I will be able to send both Kitty and Lydia as well. What do you think of this?”
“I …I would like to go, very much.” Mary said quietly. “Would I be near Aunt Gardiner?”
“They would welcome your visits, and Jane will remain in town for the foreseeable future. She does not need to hear your mother’s opinions of Mr. Harwick.”
“No, we hear enough of them as it is.” Mary covered her mouth. “I am sorry!”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “No, no, I agree. Very well then, Mr. Darcy’s carriage will be here very early tomorrow, so be dressed and ready to go two hours past sunrise.” She was at the door when he called out to her. “And Mary, you are to leave Mr. Fordyce’s sermons behind.”
“Why?”
“Orders from your sister, and as she is the bride, we cannot deny her pleasure.”
“But what will I read?” She asked as her eyes scanned the shelves worriedly.
“Lizzy suggests that you expand your imagination with a novel.” Amused to see her shock, he handed her a book of sonnets. “She also highly recommended Mr. Shakespeare.”
“Lizzy always has to have her joke.” Mary said with a fond smile. “I hope to hear her laugh, I miss it so. The house seems empty without it.” Mr. Bennet watched the door close behind her then looked back to the empty chair across from his desk. Picking up the note that she had sent to him that morning, he read her message once again.
Fitzwilliam wishes to marry tomorrow, but I asked him to delay one more day. I wish for you to be with me. Please come.
He wiped his eyes and chastised himself. “Foolish old man.” He carefully folded the letter and placed it in his desk. “Thank you, Lizzy.”
Chapter 27
“Well, I suppose that is everything.” Elizabeth looked around the small room and smiled at Jane. “I have left out what I need for today and tomorrow morning. Aunt will have a servant deliver the trunks to Darcy House so it will all be unpacked and ready for me when I arrive. She wrote to Madame Dupree as well.”
“You are so calm, Lizzy. I admire it so much; you have been so strong through all of this!” Jane sat on the bed and held out her hands to pull her sister down. “Are you not frightened?”
She laughed. “Of course I am! I am not eighteen and I will be the mistress of two enormous homes! I cannot possibly imagine what Pemberley is like, despite all of Georgiana’s enthusiastic descriptions. I am terribly afraid of disappointing him.” Elizabeth bit her lip and looked down at her hands. “I fear the day when he wakes and wonders what on earth he was thinking to take on this simple country girl.”
“Lizzy, I saw the joy in his eyes and the concern in his face when he found you yesterday. When he entered the bookshop and spotted Aunt and me, his expression was of such relief. I have seldom seen him so open with his emotions. You may see it regularly, but it is rarely displayed to anyone else.”
“I know.” Elizabeth smiled. “It is a special gift for me.”
“He loves you.” She said quietly to her shoes.
“He does, that is the greatest gift of all.” She tilted her head, trying to see Jane’s eyes. “Did you love Mr. Harwick? Now that you have had some time to think about it?”
“No.” Jane looked back up and smiled. “No, he would have been the marriage I was raised to expect. I was told to marry a man to save the family, and that is precisely what marrying him would have been. When I heard him speak of his children, I knew that he was a man capable of great feeling, not unlike Mr. Darcy, but I knew that if another woman was ever to coax that feeling from him again, it would not be me.”
“I am glad that you feel that way, Jane. It leaves you free to fall in love someday without regret, as I did when Mr. Stewart left.”
“No Lizzy, you marrying Mr. Darcy is what will give me the freedom to fall in love should it come. He has accepted the burden of our family by accepting you.” Jane hugged her. “He is such a dear man, Lizzy! How could I ever be jealous that you found him? How could I deny him the love he has found in you with my pettiness?”
“I hate to admit this Jane, but as I was influenced by Papa, you were influenced by Mama. Both of us have learned that our favourite parents are not infallible.” She smiled and saw Jane nod sadly, then look back down to her hands.
“Lizzy,” Jane paused then closed her eyes as a blush crept up her face. “I could not help but overhear Mama’s talk to you about your duties to Mr. Darcy. It sounds absolutely mortifying. Did she tell you anything of the pain? I cannot imagine being forced to lie still; and …”
“Jane, stop!” Elizabeth squeezed her hands. “Mama’s description was horrible I know, but Aunt has taken the time to talk to me very openly and honestly about what to expect. Even Lady Matlock’s talk, while not as comforting as Aunt’s, was not the drama that Mama described. I am not concerned, well, I am; but I am not so frightened as to wish to hide under the bed when Fitzwilliam approaches. We … we have shared some intimacies, and … I believe … I believe that Aunt’s teachings will be correct.”
“Are you just being brave?” Jane asked worriedly.
“No, I honestly believe that all will be well. I … I actually am looking forward to it.” She laughed to hear Jane’s gasp. “I promise to tell you the truth of it when we can talk privately again.”
“Lizzy, a package has come for you.” Mrs. Gardiner announced from the doorway.
“Oh, my wedding dress? You just sent the note to Madame Dupree!”
“No, it is not your dress.” She winked at Jane and led the way down the stairs to the front sitting room where Darcy stood staring out of the window with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Fitzwilliam, what brings you here?” Elizabeth ran into the room and grasped his hands, and he turned with a smile.
“I may not visit the bride?” He laughed to see her happy eyes, and bent to kiss her hand. “I know that we both have much to accomplish today, but I have to tell you the events of the morning.” He led her to a sofa and they sat with their fingers entwined while Mrs. Gardiner shook her head at the couples’ complete oblivion. “My aunt will give us a small wedding breakfas
t tomorrow at Matlock House.” At last he turned to Mrs. Gardiner. “No offence, madam, but the church is not so far from Grosvenor Square …”
“I understand, sir. Go on.”
“Richard has agreed to stand up with me; he replied to my note and said that he was delighted.”
“Jane will be my witness.” Elizabeth smiled over to her. “What of guests?”
“Well, my coach will leave at dawn for Longbourn.”
“Your poor horses!”
“I am borrowing my uncle’s.” He smiled at her care. “We have enough carriages in the family to take care of everyone handily.” He drew breath and continued. “Stewart came over yesterday and … very publicly berated me for my horrible treatment of you by marrying Anne. I imagine that he would have offered for you.” Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth when she gasped. “He tried to … Well; he tried to strike me in the face. Bingley heard that we both lost teeth, which clearly is not true. I just want you to be prepared for any comments …”
“You fought?”
“Briefly, yes.”
“Who won?” She tilted her head to see his satisfied smile. “I see. And what is the preferred explanation for his impetuous behaviour?”
“I told Bingley that you had been neighbours in Hertfordshire and he felt concern towards you.” He saw her brow lift and sighed. “I thought that was not too far from the truth without confessing all.”
“No, I like your choice, but will that satisfy the world?”
“I have decided that the world does not deserve further explanation, however, I have invited him to the wedding as a sign that all is well between us. Does that make you uncomfortable?”
“No, I think he will feel more than I.” She smiled to see his nod and took both of his hands again. “Anything else?”
He looked at her steadily. “Georgiana is asking why our wedding date was moved up. It occurred to me that she will not be alone in that curiosity, and that it may very well be assumed that we anticipated our vows.”
“Fitzwilliam!”
“Forgive me, but I am sure that the thought struck Mrs. Gardiner, did it not, madam?” Darcy turned to assess her reaction.
“I am afraid that it did, but the benefit to you marrying now is far greater than a birth that will not come when anticipated.” She smiled and shrugged. “It is certainly not an unknown phenomenon.” Jane gasped and Mrs. Gardiner patted her hand. “What have you told your sister?”
“That the fire is driving my desire to return to Pemberley sooner than expected and we thought we would be married a little earlier to enjoy some of the Season as a wedded couple before departing.” He looked to Elizabeth and smiled, “Which is also not false.”
“I think that you are becoming more creative with your confessions. I will have to keep that in mind for future reference.” Her eyes danced and he shrugged a little. “And?”
“That is all I know of … except …” He reached into his pocket and handed her a velvet bag. “Please wear this tomorrow with your gown.” She began to open it and he stopped her. “I begged Georgiana to give it to you, and she was glad to do so. I traded her a piece that I found in her jewels at Pemberley.”
“I think that I know what this is.” Elizabeth opened the bag and into her hand spilled the pearl named Richard. “Ohhh.”
“Once I saw this on you, I could not imagine any other ever wearing it.” He touched it, then smiled up to her. “I know that this means that your locket will have to be abandoned for the day, but …”
“I will have the real man by my side.” She carefully put the pearl back in the bag and smiled up at him. “Thank you, and Georgiana.” Darcy leaned forward and kissed her, then drew back.
“I must go.” He stood and she rose with him. “I have to prepare our home for you.”
“Do you not have a staff for that?”
“I have correspondence to answer.”
“I think that you are trying to avoid me.” Elizabeth laughed.
Darcy bowed to the ladies and taking her hand walked to the door, and set his hat down on the steps. “Dearest,” he drew her into his arms and kissed her upturned mouth, “it is taking every ounce of my strength not to carry you to some convenient room and teach you the lesson of how dangerous it is to tease a desperate man.”
“What did I say?” She asked innocently.
He groaned and traced his hands down her back to rest on her bottom, rubbing his groin against her until her eyes closed, then moved to tenderly suckle her earlobe. Withdrawing, he was satisfied to note her disappointment. “A taste my love, a taste.” Darcy kissed her gently. “I will see you tomorrow at the altar.” She nodded mutely and gladly returned the soft kiss. “I love you.” In a breath he was gone.
“I AM SO SORRY, ELIZABETH.” Darcy took her hands in his and pled with her to understand. “I had no choice, my family …”
“What of our family!!” She cried.
“Too many people are counting on me. Anne … it was the only way to stop the ruin of our names, I had to stop the rumours, I had to marry her!”
Elizabeth tore away from him and drawing back, struck him forcefully across the face. A bright red imprint of her small hand glowed from his cheek. She drew back again, and with tears rolling down his face, he stood still and accepted the strike. Again and again Elizabeth beat him, her body shook with sobs, and her touch became weaker as she lost strength. When at last she collapsed to the ground, he fell to his knees. “Wait for me. She will not survive for long. Wait for me.”
“How?” She sat up and demanded. “How can I wait? I am the poor girl jilted by the rich man! I am already called your mistress! You have ruined me! What of my name? What of my sisters? I have no choice but to resolve myself to a life alone. I will never marry.”
“Please Elizabeth, I will take care of you, I will give you a home, and when it is over …”
“You will be in mourning for two years afterwards! I could be waiting years for you! And what am I in the meantime? I would be your mistress! You do not love me, you never loved me!” She climbed to her feet and stood looking down at the devastated man, then reaching to her neck she tore the locket from her throat and threw it on the ground. “I want no part of you.”
“Please …”
“Give them to me.” She stood with her palm extended.
“No, please, leave me with at least this.” He begged.
“No, you have rejected me, you have rejected our future, you have rejected our children. I want you to think every day for the rest of your life what your pride has given you. NOTHING!”
Slowly, Darcy removed the box containing her hair from his waistcoat and looking down to his finger, removed the ring, and placed them in her hand. It remained extended, and he reached inside of his coat to remove his book of sonnets. “Please …”
“This is your decision, Mr. Darcy.”
“Elizabeth …”
“Miss Bennet, sir.”
“Mrs. Stewart.” They both looked up and Stewart was by her side. “I will marry you. I never should have left you. I love you.”
Elizabeth looked from the man at her feet to the man offering his hand. She hesitated then nodded. “Yes, I will marry you.”
“NO!”
“Darcy! Come! Anne is asking for you!” Lady Catherine called.
“Go Mr. Darcy, your wife wants you.” Elizabeth said coldly.
“You are my wife.” He whispered, “You, only you. I love you, please …”
“Darcy!”
“Please do not marry Stewart, please wait for me, forgive me …”
“Darcy, wake up!” Fitzwilliam shook his shoulder.
“Go ahead, strike me again, I deserve it.”
Fitzwilliam stood back and considered his cousin, the bed coverings were twisted around his body from thrashing, his face was wet with tears, and he was still very deeply in this obvious nightmare.
“NO!” He screamed. “Get away!”
“Well, we have to put
a stop to this now.” He looked around for a pitcher of water and spotting the ewer, strode across the room, grabbed it, and returned to his suffering cousin. Judging the best spot, he began pouring water over his face, it filled his nose and open mouth, and instantly Darcy coughed and spluttered, then at last awoke.
“What … What the devil!” Darcy sat up and wiped his face then stared at Fitzwilliam. “What …why?”
“You are a devil to waken, I sincerely hope that Pemberley does not catch fire while you are asleep or Elizabeth will surely be a widow.”
“Elizabeth!” Darcy cried. “Where is she?”
“I imagine she is in her bedchamber dressing for her wedding.” Fitzwilliam smiled. “To you.”
Darcy sighed and rested his head in his hands. “Thank you, God.”
Fitzwilliam sat on the bed and watched his cousin try to wipe away the tears without giving his activity away. “I take it that was a nightmare about Elizabeth marrying Stewart.”
“And me marrying Anne.”
“Definitely a horrifying experience.” He clapped Darcy’s back. “What brought that on?”
“I … I spent some time reading my journals last night, and I read where I realized that Stewart had been courting her, and then I thought about him storming over here to defend her when he thought I had married Anne …and …”
“And you had wedding eve fears. I knew that I should have spent the night here. Any other man who marries for convenience would be steady as a rock this morning. You are a lover. What a lucky man you are to have nightmares on your wedding day.” He smiled but Darcy was still lost in his memories.
“Layton thought that I would have married her if I had gone to Rosings.” Darcy looked up to see Fitzwilliam’s expression grow serious. “You were there, what do you think?”
“I am not you, though we share a penchant for duty and honour.” Fitzwilliam sighed. “I could have married her, Aunt Catherine was all for it. Father even spoke of it. I just could not do it, and I did not have a beautiful woman waiting for me a carriage ride away. And I had much more to lose than you. Come Darcy, what are you beating yourself over for? Surely you do not regret this decision?”
