“And …?” Jane’s voice rose a little. “What sort of man is he? Why would a wealthy gentleman suddenly have to marry in such haste, and to someone he has never met before?” She shivered. “Oh, Lizzy, you could be trapped forever with a monster.”
“Oh, Jane, of course not. I admit it was a shock when he spoke to me last night, but it has all been explained now.” She jumped up. “Let me go and get some tea for us, and then I will tell you absolutely everything. And you will meet him tonight, for he is coming to dinner.”
Elizabeth had difficulty keeping her gaze from dwelling too long on Mr. Darcy that evening at dinner. He had greeted Jane with grave courtesy, and thanked Aunt Gardiner for giving Elizabeth the opportunity have her sister stand up with her at their wedding.
Upstairs, later that evening, Elizabeth leaned against the bedpost in Jane’s chamber as she watched her sister brush her hair. “So, you must tell me what you think, Jane. But I will not hear a word against him, so you must be sure to say only the nicest things.”
Jane laughed. “So I must tell you what I think, but only nice things?” She reached over and embraced Elizabeth. “It is fortunate then, that I approve very much of him. He seems pleasant and gentlemanly. I hope you will be very happy.” She bent a stern gaze on her sister. “But I understand that you first set eyes on him and discovered the plan only yesterday at dinner. Only one day ago!” she hugged her tightly. “Please, Lizzy, say you have really thought about this.”
“I have thought it through, Jane. The settlement is arranged. Mama and all the family will be safe. So will Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.” She met Jane’s gaze. “How can I not do this?” she smiled and leaned into her sister’s embrace. “But I must say, that I think this risk is going to come out all right for me, too. I find myself with confidence in him.”
At the appointed hour for formal calls the next morning, Mr. Darcy was there to call upon her again. Elizabeth felt a little breathless with anticipation, and hoped she could hide the fact from her aunt and Jane.
But she was worried about Peter. She knew her aunt felt that she had no responsibility for him any more, and it was true, she could not change anything for him; but she wanted the chance to see him — from a distance — and assure herself that he was well and happy. She didn’t want to ask her aunt and wondered what Mr. Darcy would think of her request. There were not very many days now when she would have the opportunity.
She smoothed her gown nervously on her lap as he sat down politely and held a general conversation with Aunt Gardiner and Jane for a few moments, until her aunt rose gracefully.
“Come, Jane, let us check on the children.”
As soon as they were alone together, Mr. Darcy turned to her. “Something is troubling you, Elizabeth. Perhaps I can help in some way.”
She smiled nervously. She was certain he would feel the same way as her aunt did, but it was her only chance. She hoped he wouldn’t be irritated by her request.
17
Darcy pulled his chair closer to Elizabeth and sat down, wondering what she could be concerned about. He couldn’t think of anything that could have surprised her, she knew what she had consented to.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I guessed you had noticed my distraction.” She was looking down, a slight flush of embarrassment on her cheeks.
His heart constricted, she wasn’t going to change her mind, was she? “William,” he said mildly. “You were going to call me William.”
“Oh!” She looked a little flustered. “I’m sorry, I forgot — William.” Her smile lightened his spirits. Perhaps it was not as serious as he thought.
“Well, I will help you in any way I can, Elizabeth. But you will have to tell me what it is about.”
“Yes.” She hesitated. “Is it proper for an engaged couple to drive out? You see, I am worried about the little boy I was governess to, before … before all this. I know my aunt says I must forget him and I know that I have no further obligation to him, but I would be easier in my mind if I can see him from a distance and know that he is well and happy. You see, I had promised him that I would return and then his father wouldn’t let me say goodbye.”
Her eyes looked beseechingly at him, and he swallowed. He agreed wholeheartedly with Mrs. Gardiner on the matter, but Elizabeth seemed distressed by the thought. Would she forget the child sooner if her mind was easier? But what if he wasn’t happy and made a scene? What would she wish to do then?
He smiled with an effort. “We can certainly drive out, Elizabeth. Perhaps it would be better if a maid accompanied us. But — how were you thinking of seeing him? Would you call at the house?”
She shook her head. “No, I hope not. But if he is well enough, we always walked to the nearby park in the mornings. He liked that routine, and I think he will be there and I can see him.”
Darcy nodded. He wouldn’t comment that if the child had no governess to take him, he might not get taken out. “If you speak to your aunt, Elizabeth, and get her permission, I believe my coach is waiting for me, and we can depart at once, so that we are there in time.”
It was a mean little part of London. Darcy was glad that Elizabeth was no longer in service, and more particularly, in that area. His heart went cold at the thought of her walking out alone with a small child. He smiled slightly, he was glad his uncle had found her, he would never have considered her, had it been he who had been searching.
But she was pretty, kind, and well-mannered. She was from a better background than service, and could hold her own at the highest dinner party in society. In fact, had he not known of her past, and met her first at his uncle’s house, he would not have known, save for her simple clothes, what her background was.
He glanced at her now, hoping very much that at least one gown would soon be ready from her trousseau. He would not say so, but he didn’t really feel that what she was wearing was suitable to be seen out in, not as the soon-to-be Mrs. Darcy.
He smiled. “How are the preparations going, Elizabeth? Is your mother pleased at our news?”
Elizabeth’s face tightened a little. “Thank you, William. She is, as you would expect, delighted. Effusively so.”
Darcy realised that her expression had closed up so that she wouldn’t roll her eyes, and he masked his own appreciative smile. Perhaps they could relax more with each other after they were married, it was too soon as yet.
Her musical laugh drew him back to the present. “Of course, she was determined to come to the wedding, but I said that as she was openly allowing Lydia to live at home still, it was not possible.” Her brow creased a little. “I know Uncle Gardiner was also very firm to her in his letter to her, so I hope she will not appear. I told her you could not receive her.”
Darcy was relieved about that, but he fervently hoped the preparations for her trousseau would finish in time for Tuesday in the event the marriage was brought forward — that would solve the Mrs. Bennet problem as well as the Miss Bingley one. But since neither Elizabeth nor her aunt knew that the ceremony might be on Tuesday, they might not feel such an urgency to be ready, and Elizabeth might yet not have a new gown for the important day. He resolved to speak to Mr. Gardiner about it.
But Elizabeth was leaning almost out of the window now. “We are nearly at the park, William. May we walk round and see if we can see him? Or shall I walk with the maid while you wait here?”
He hesitated. “Would you rather drive round? Then he is less likely to see you. Would he be upset if he saw you and you left him again?”
She looked thoughtful. “Thank you, I hadn’t thought of his reaction if he saw me.” She looked out over the park again, her gaze distant, as the coach drew to a halt and waited for instructions.
Then she turned back to him. “I think I would like to walk round a little, just to make sure I don’t miss him. And I think I should go alone, or with just the maid following, if you insist on it.”
Darcy nodded. “I do insist on it, Elizabeth. But do you not wish me to walk with you? I am willing to, if you wo
uld like it.”
She looked at him appraisingly, then smiled. “No, sir. I know that you would do it for me, and I am most grateful. But I will not be long.”
“Very well.” Darcy rapped on the roof of the coach with his cane and the coachman jumped down and opened the door.
“Let me assist you.” Darcy climbed down and offered her his hand as she stepped down. The sudden heat through her glove made him catch his breath. How could his desire for her burn so quickly?
He stood beside the coach and watched as she walked away from him, looking from side to side. He watched her slim grace and confident stride and smiled slightly. She was his.
His attention sharpened as she stepped quickly aside from the path, into the shadow of a tree, and stood motionless. Darcy forced himself to wait and watch.
Then a small boy appeared, tugging a lady by the hand, and they approached Elizabeth, who stepped back onto the path, and the two ladies curtsied before Elizabeth crouched down to the child’s level, speaking to him and occasionally looking up to the woman with him. After a few moments, she stood up, and they walked a nearby bench, the boy reaching up with his free hand to take Elizabeth’s.
They sat on the bench for a few moments, the small boy between them, who appeared to be chattering at both of them equally. Darcy found himself smiling foolishly, and schooled his features to his usual impassive expression. But he was proud of the way Elizabeth could comport herself with the titled and the poor. He could see how dedicated she had been to this child and also to her little Gardiner cousins.
He found himself imagining Pemberley ringing with laughter and the scampering of children along the great corridors. Even as recently as a month ago, he’d have been horrified at the thought.
No longer. He allowed himself a smile, he looked forward to showing Pemberley to her.
But she was standing now, leaning forward as the boy threw his arms round her neck.
Darcy tensed, not sure what he would need to do if the child caused a scene. But Elizabeth was speaking to him, and he loosened his grasp and took the other woman’s hand. After a moment’s hesitation, he waved at Elizabeth as she ruffled his hair, then turned and walked back towards the coach.
There were tears in her eyes as she reached him, and he looked down at her. “Are you well, Elizabeth?”
She smiled. “I am pleased you permitted me to meet him again, William. He was with his mother and she is obviously enjoying being with him. He was happy to see me and happy to say goodbye.”
“I’m glad.” Darcy offered her his hand to assist her into the coach and climbed in after her. It had been easier than a call at Gracechurch Street, with the formality that entailed.
He was impatient for the wedding to be over. Not just to protect his good name and Georgiana’s, but to have Elizabeth beside him, be able to begin to make their lives together.
18
And now, it was time. It was Tuesday morning and Jane was threading tiny flowers through Elizabeth’s hair as she sat, wearing a more luxurious silk gown than she had ever imagined she would have the opportunity to.
“Are you nervous, Lizzy?”
“Well, yes, I am. I thought I had time to regain my equanimity after all the preparations, but Uncle coming in this morning and saying everything had moved forward by one day has rather upset my thoughts.”
“I wonder why he had not confided in anyone before this?” Jane was thoughtful.
But it didn’t matter whether it was Tuesday or Wednesday. It wouldn’t matter whether she was in a church with people she loved around her, or hastily wed at Gretna Green. And Elizabeth admitted it didn’t matter to her any more whether her family were grateful to her for securing their future or not. It didn’t matter that one week ago, she hadn’t even known of his existence.
All that mattered was that Mr. Darcy was standing by the altar, waiting for her. All that mattered were that his eyes were fixed on her, and she trusted him.
Aunt and Uncle Gardiner were in the pew behind her, Jane was beside her, and Mr. Darcy — William — stood gravely at her right as the clergyman opened his prayer book.
She didn’t take in much of the service, although the occasional phrase sent a wave of warmth washing through her.
William promising to love and cherish her, to honour and keep her …
Her life was going to be so very different now.
She smiled at Georgiana; at all her new family, as they walked down the aisle after the ceremony and signing of the register. Her own family was sadly abbreviated, but she knew the reason now, and her aunt and uncle, and Jane, of course, were ample for today.
She glanced behind her. Jane walking demurely beside William’s groomsman, Colonel Fitzwilliam. They made a lovely couple, she thought dreamily. Then, at the back of the church, an amiable-looking man with an anxious, harassed expression, who kept glancing behind him.
“Darcy! and Mrs. Darcy!” He bowed extravagantly and beamed at her. “I’m so happy to meet you and that the whole occasion has passed peacefully.”
Elizabeth sensed how tense William was, and glanced up at him as he asked urgently, “she is not here?”
“No, no, she is at home, convinced that the service is tomorrow at Saint Jude’s.” He laughed nervously. “She is going to be very angry with me.”
“Whereas I am extremely grateful.” William shook his hand and turned to her.
“Elizabeth, may I introduce my great friend, Charles Bingley, who has the misfortune to have a sister who thought she could ensnare me.”
Elizabeth dipped a slight curtsey to the man, who was still beaming at her. “I am pleased to meet you, sir.”
But his eyes had left her and he was staring at Jane, a smitten look on his face.
William chuckled and urged Elizabeth forward. He bent toward her. “I hope your sister is prepared for the admiration of many gentlemen.”
He glanced around them as they left the church, but the road was quiet. News of the change of date had not spread, it seemed, and Elizabeth was happy that he seemed content.
The open landau was waiting to convey them back to the wedding breakfast at Darcy House, the establishment of which Elizabeth was now mistress, but still did not know her way round.
He leaned toward her. “Please don’t be dismayed, Elizabeth. I know there is much for you to get used to. The guests will all leave promptly after the wedding breakfast, I assure you. Georgiana is going to stay at Matlock House for a few days, while we have some time to get to know each other.”
“Thank you, William. It is most thoughtful.”
There was a strange look in his eyes and she looked enquiringly at him. He shook his head.
“It is only that I like hearing you say my name.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Thank you for agreeing to become Mrs. Darcy. I had not realised until after I had made the offer just how much courage it must have taken you.”
She felt her face become warm and knew she had blushed. “It must also have taken you some considerable trust in your relations and mine to accept their assurances about a woman you didn’t know.”
“Indeed,” he chuckled. “We may stay in mutual admiration then.”
He offered her his hand to assist her down from the landau when it stopped outside Darcy House, and his touch sent a searing heat through her gloves and she almost staggered. His grip tightened.
“Are you well?”
She forced herself to smile. “I am, sir. Everything is well.” But as soon as she was safely down, he tucked her hand in his arm.
“Let me assist you, Elizabeth.”
The concern in his voice made her heart race even more than the touch of his hand, and Elizabeth had to force her mind to the present moment.
She had responsibilities now. She must act as both the hostess and the bride at her own wedding breakfast. The sudden thought of her wedding night must be pushed aside.
There were many servants, and her new lady’s maid took her hat and cloak and
then she joined her husband — her husband! — in the hall to welcome their guests.
The Countess of Matlock hurried in and took her hands. “Oh, Elizabeth! You look so beautiful! Thank you for agreeing to join the family.” She leaned forward and kissed her.
Elizabeth struggled to keep her composure, and she curtsied. “Thank you, Lady Matlock. You’re very kind.”
William was beside her, and he chuckled. “We must not overwhelm her, Aunt Alice. I will bring her to you next week and you will have more time to become acquainted.” He turned to greet the Earl, and Lady Matlock took the opportunity to whisper to Elizabeth.
“Don’t let anything upset you, my dear. I know you have had little time to become used to the idea of this. Come and see me if you are concerned about anything at all.”
Elizabeth relaxed a little. “Thank you, my lady.”
The next in line was Georgiana, escorted by the Colonel. As the girl curtsied politely, Elizabeth gave her the warmest smile she could summon. “I’m very grateful to you agreeing to stay at Matlock House for a few days, Georgiana. I hope you don’t mind it too much.”
“Oh, no!” The girl glanced at her brother. “I’m so pleased to have such a wonderful sister.”
The rest of the time passed in a blur of fatigue for Elizabeth, and she was very relieved when the party began to get ready to go home.
She blinked back the tears as she parted from Jane, it felt much too soon. “I’ll see you soon, Jane, I promise.”
“Lizzy, I’m sure you’ll be very happy. I like your Mr. Darcy,” Jane whispered back. Elizabeth smiled, she wouldn’t mention the great attention Mr. Bingley had paid Jane all afternoon, but she was delighted for her.
Finally, the last guest had departed and Mr. Darcy led her to a chair beside the fire in the drawing room.
“Sit down, Elizabeth. I think you need to rest.” His eyes rested on her. “You have been remarkable. Thank you.”
Forever, Darcy Page 8
