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Another Wedding
Mrs. Bennet's sorrow
of losing her favorite daughter and her "dear Wickham"
to the wilds of the North was soon all forgotten; for the very
afternoon of the Wickham's removal, Mr. Bennet received requests
for private interviews from two of the most eligible bachelors
in the Empire. Mr. Bingley's suit was no great surprise; Mrs.
Bennet's only thought beside joy was why it took the man so long
to come the point at last. She knew her Jane could not
be so beautiful for nothing. However, Elizabeth's triumph quite
took her mother's breath away. Ten thousand pounds, and likely
more! A house in Town! Carriages, jewels, two or three French
cooks; everything that was delightful! She could say nothing
for a full quarter of an hour.
She made up for
it, of course, when she did find her tongue. So much so that
the happy pair soon sought out the quiet of a walk to Oakham
Mount. Jane and Charles, realizing that they could better tolerate
Mrs. Bennet's indescribable elation (which she insisted in proclaiming
again and again), insisted that Darcy and Elizabeth go by themselves
while they entrained the mirthful matron.
The contented couple
walked along the lanes of Longbourn towards the famed scenic
outlook, discussing their opinions of the upcoming nuptials.
Between the day of the proposals and the day of the father's
blessing, the future Darcys and future Bingleys had decided on
a joint ceremony to be held in Hertfordshire as soon as may be.
Darcy wanted a special license, but common sense soon prevailed
and a date six weeks hence was agreed upon.
Darcy was speaking
of the warm and kind letter he had received from Lord and Lady
Fitzwilliam - they, along with the Gardners, had been let in
on the secret - when his fiancée turned to him.
"Fitzwilliam,"
she stopped him. "Seriously, my love; you know I would have
accepted you if…if you had not succeeded in finding Lydia."
"You would
have had me if I failed?" he jested.
"Of course;
I love you."
"Ah…but
that is a moot point, Elizabeth! For you see, I have never failed,
nor will I ever, if it be your true desire. For your desire is
mine." And he silenced her response with a kiss.
Elizabeth's spirits
soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted Mr. Darcy to account
for his having ever fallen in love with her. "How could
you begin?'' said she. "I can comprehend your going on charmingly,
when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off
in the first place?''
"I cannot fix
on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid
the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before
I knew that I had begun.''
"My beauty
you had earlier withstood, and as for my manners - my behavior
to you was at least always bordering on the uncivil, and I never
spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not.
Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?''
"For the liveliness
of your mind, I did.''
"You may as
well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less. The
fact is that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious
attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always
speaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone.
I roused, and interested you, because I was so unlike them. Had
you not been really amiable, you would have hated me for it;
but in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself, your
feelings were always noble and just; and in your heart, you thoroughly
despised the persons who so assiduously courted you. There -
I have saved you the trouble of accounting for it; and really,
all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly reasonable."
She reached up to stoke his face. "To be sure, you knew
no actual good of me - but nobody thinks of that when they fall
in love.''
Darcy kissed her
palm. "Was there no good in your affectionate behavior to
Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?''
"Dearest Jane!
Who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it by
all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you
are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it
belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with
you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking
you why you wished to keep from me that you were going to London
in search for my unfortunate sister. Such a quest could do nothing
but secure your lady's heart. Yet you wished to keep it a secret.
Why the reluctance to let me know of your goodness?"
Darcy blushed. "That
is indeed the point, Elizabeth. I did not want you to feel obligated
to me - that you owe me anything."
"This will
never do! Did I not shamelessly promise myself to you? You are
un-chivalrous, sir! You threaten to disappoint the heart of a
maiden raised with the tales of King Arthur and Sir Galahad!
Who is to be my knight in shining armor if not my husband? Shall
I need to look elsewhere?"
He took his beloved
into his arms. "The only place you may look for protection,
Miss Bennet, is in these arms."
She smiled through
her lashes. "That is an agreeable prospect, sir. Tell me,
Mr. Darcy; are there many suits of armor at Pemberley?"
"Aye…and
lances too…" he said as he bent to kiss her again.
~~~~}+{~~~~
DEAR SIR,
I must trouble
you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the
wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can.
But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has more
to give.
Your's sincerely,
&c. BENNET
"My dear! Mrs.
Collins! Such a calamity that has befallen us! Oh, what shall
we do?"
Mary Collins looked
up from her needlework at her husband's outburst. "Whatever
is the matter, Mr. Collins?"
"Your…your…"
He could not get the words out. "Your sister…"
Never had she seen
her husband so upset. "Mr. Collins! What has happened? Which
of my sisters do you refer to? Oh, my nerves!" My goodness,
did I really say that?
"Elizabeth…
your sister Elizabeth is engaged… to Mr. Darcy!"
Mary, in her relief,
could not help herself. "She is? Oh, how wonderful!"
Aghast would not
sufficiently describe Collins' countenance. "Wonderful?
How can this news be wonderful - how can you think such a thing?
Lady Catherine - how she must feel it! Our noble patroness, who
has so long held to the sweet dream of uniting Miss de Bourgh
with Mr. Darcy. It is not to be borne! She would not have it!
Our sister does not know what she is about! We must write to
her - nay; we shall go to her! And your father! We must counsel
her to see the better of this improper action - to think the
better of it. Mr. Darcy's duty is to honor our ladyship's desire
of marring her daughter…"
"Rather than
becoming your brother, my dear?"
"Yes! I…what?
Oh…!" Collins lost the power of speech as the implications
flowed over his rather limited brain. Mr. Darcy will be my
brother-in-law! What a delightful notion!
Mary slyly continued.
"It would be a feather in our cap to be attached to that
august family, to be sure; but you are right, dear. How selfish
of me. We must do our duty to Lady Catherine. I shall ring for
the girl…"
Collins shook himself.
"Girl? What girl?"
"Why, to begin
packing for Longbourn, Mr. Collins. To convince our sister not
to marry Mr. Darcy."
Collins held up
his hand. "Let us not be so hasty, my dear. We must consider
this delicate matter for no little time. Only fools rush in
where angels fear to tread, you know." He began to pace.
"You have been close to Miss de Bourgh, my dear. How do
you think she will respond to this news?"
Mary assured her
husband of Miss de Bourgh indifference to Mr. Darcy and let him
know of the lady's stated hope that her cousin and friend would
come to an understanding. And she told him that she believed
that Miss de Bourgh's feelings went to another quarter entirely.
"But, my dear,
not everyone may be assured of the marital affection that we
enjoy! Those of the upper classes have a duty to their station."
"That is true,
and I cannot speak for my friend, but consider: Is not the son
of an Earl superior to that of a simple landed gentleman, no
matter his income?"
Even Collins could
grasp her meaning. "Colonel Fitzwilliam? Do they have an
understanding?"
Not yet. "Husband, I said no such thing.
I am sure that there is no skullduggery about. I suspect that
Miss de Bourgh's opinion of her cousin is very high; that is
all."
"I see - I
see…" He could see that a union between Rosings and
Matlock would do as well as one with Pemberley, at least in stature.
Would Lady Catherine be satisfied? "But I am certain that
Lady Catherine will be displeased - highly displeased. Where
does our duty lie?"
"Why, to help
Lady Catherine accept the reality of present situation. We must
support her in her time of crisis; surely she will come to acknowledge
the marriage. No one can offer the counsel and guidance that
you can, my dear." Mary continued on in this vein, complementing
and persuading her husband towards this course of action. In
their months of marriage she learned how to thus manage her spouse.
Vain and opinionated he was; but good-intentioned too. Mary found
that she had developed a talent for manipulation, though she
would never call it thus - she convinced her husband.
Her friendship with Anne had taught her subtlety - a powerful
combination that a man in possession of both self-importance
and lack of understanding, as well as being besotted with his
wife's charms, would find impossible to resist. Once she was
able to set in his mind that Anne's future resided in a union
with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she only had to reinforce the notion
(that she had been carefully building in his mind) that as Lady
Catherine's most able advisor it was his duty to help guide the
formidable lady towards this solution to her distress. The task
would take another hour before it was accomplished. The job of
convincing Lady Catherine would prove more daunting, but in time
and with the assistance of Miss de Bourgh, the grand dame was
persuaded that Colonel Fitzwilliam would make an acceptable substitution
for the wayward Mr. Darcy. A superior alternative actually -
surely the good colonel would prove to be easier to manage that
his proud and stubborn cousin.
Therefore, when
Richard Fitzwilliam appeared at Rosings with the task of conveying
Miss de Bourgh and the Collinses to Herfortshire for the double
ceremony in which Darcy and Bingley would gain their respective
hearts' desires (Lady Catherine sent her regrets), he was unknowingly
faced with the prospect of three ladies deterimined that he marry
Anne de Bourgh.
He never had a chance.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Colonel the Hon.
Richard Fitzwilliam descended his family's coach refreshed, for
he had stopped in London the night before. He jauntily ascended
the steps into Rosings with his usual devil-may-care attitude,
not knowing his fate was already sealed. The footman assured
the Colonel that his baggage would be seen to and informed him
that Lady Catherine requested his presence in the front parlor.
Upon entering the room, he saw that his aunt was in her usual
chair - and quite alone.
"Nephew!"
he was greeted with. "You have made good time. That is well;
punctuality was always insisted upon by my late father, the Earl.
It is good that some things do not change. My complements to
my brother for distilling the proper respect for duty and honor
in yourself. At least someone takes care of such things
these days."
After offering his
usual greetings and delivering the usual complements from his
family, Richard awaited his aunt's pleasure. It was not long
in coming.
"This is a
sad business, this marriage of your cousin's! I tried to talk
him out of it, to remind him of where his duty lies - but I am
ignored. I always am! Darcy has proved as stubborn as his father,
God rest his soul. There is nothing for it, it seems! The bans
published; it would be too much now, should anything unseemly
happen to disrupt this unfortunate event. Indeed, that the ceremony
should occur with as little fanfare as possible is the lesser
of many evils!"
"Have you changed
your mind about attending, then?"
"Absolutely
not! I will not further tarnish the family name by raising a
great outcry about this disgrace; but I shall not scruple to
pretend that…that woman would ever be noticed by me! Why
my brother attends is a mystery to me. It is that wife of his!"
Richard was well
aware of the bad blood between his mother and his aunt. "I
am thankful, then, that you have seen fit to allow Anne to go."
"I have ever
been celebrated for my magnanimity, nephew. Anne wished to be
of comfort to poor Georgiana. And Mrs. Collins has proven a good
friend and companion to my dear Anne. At least one of the Bennet
girls knows her place! She knew enough not to try to rise above
the sphere she was brought up. We should all know our level,
my dear Richard."
"Indeed, Aunt
Catherine," Richard humored her.
"I am pleased
that you agree with me. Your duty, therefore, should be as pleasing
as it is obvious."
"Duty, Aunt?"
"Why, that
you must take Darcy's place. You must marry Anne."
"Me?!?"
spurted Richard. "Marry? Anne? You want me to marry Anne?"
"Of course!
Such an agreeable outcome should have been apparent to you. Your
eldest brother, the Viscount, is already married. Your unfortunate
younger brother, the sailor; well, the less said about him
the better! Darcy has betrayed his family; it falls to you to
uphold the family honor."
"But…but…me?"
"I agree your
situation is not all that it should be; you, a second son. My
brother, the Earl, has not laid much on you, has he? However,
as the son of an earl, your pedigree is such that there will
be little discussion of that! Where does avarice end and discretion
begin? It matters not. Somewhere below 50,000 pounds, I dare
say. I am sure that all right-thinking people would understand
that it is natural to you to seek a union of Matlock and Rosings.
And Anne is undeniable improved this last year, is she not?"
"Umm…yes…but…but…
Aunt! How does Anne feel about this?"
"Anne? Do not
be concerned on that score. Anne will do her duty."
"Aunt, I am
shocked…and surprised…I…I must speak to Anne about
this!"
Lady Catherine's
smile suspiciously resembled a leer. "To court her, I suppose.
Very well; off with you. You young lovers must have everything
your own way. In my day such things were unnecessary; the Earl
my father chose Lewis de Bourgh for me. It saved much inconvenience.
The less an engaged couple meet before the wedding the better;
unpleasant news can always wait."
Richard turned as
he reached the door. "Lady Catherine, I am two and thirty;
I am hardly young!"
"A ripe age
- young enough to wish to marry without being too set in your
ways; too old to be much of a bother as a husband. Yes, an excellent
age!"
With no answer to
that, Richard quitted the room. He was soon in the main hall
and approached the butler to find out Anne's whereabouts. "I
was told that should you inquire about Miss de Bourgh, I should
direct you to Mrs. Parks' room," the bulter said with absolutely
no emotion. "If you will follow me?"
She is at her
music lessons with Mrs. Collins,
Richard thought. I must find her and let her know of her mother's
newest obsession.
The pair walked
the length of Rosings, down a hall and around a corner before
stopping before the housekeeper's room door. "Shall I announce
you, sir?"
"No, no, I'll
see to it, my man," Richard dismissed the butler. The colonel
opened the door and entered to find Mrs. Collins at the pianoforte
- and quite alone.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam!
I am honored, sir."
"Mrs. Collins!
Forgive me, madam, but I was led to believe that An… Miss
de Bourgh was here. Do you know where she is?"
"Come in, sir,
and have a seat."
Richard chose not
to question the lady from the doorway; he left the door ajar
and took a seat on the sofa in the room. "I thank you, Mrs.
Collins, but I must ask again: do you know where my cousin may
be found?"
Mary brought her
hand to her chin in concentration. "That would be hard to
say, Colonel. This announcement of the marriage between my sister
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy has affected her greatly."
"What?"
Richard started. "But…but…she said… Mrs.
Collins, it was my understanding that Anne… I mean…that
Miss de Bourgh was indifferent to her cousin. Was I misinformed?"
"Oh, do you
think she is distraught over Mr. Darcy's joy? Let me assure you
that Miss de Bourgh is quite delighted for her cousin, and wishes
my sister and him all happiness. No, I believe I spoke carelessly.
My meaning was that this event has reminded Anne that she has
not the accomplishments that the granddaughter of an earl should
have. For her to attract proper suitors she needs to apply herself."
"Suit…suitors?
Apply herself?"
"Oh, yes. As
Miss de Bourgh has undoubtedly informed you, I have been teaching
her the pianoforte. Her success at this endeavor has inflamed
her desire to do more. She is drawing; singing is out of the
question, you know… She already handles her dog-cart very
well; she has engaged one of the grooms to teach her to ride…"
"Anne - ride?!?"
"She is determined,
colonel. The young man assigned to the task promises to be most
attentive."
"Young man?
What young man?"
"A delightful
and handsome yeoman, sir." Marry giggled. "He is quite
the favorite of the under-maids, I understand." She sighed.
Richard's countenance
darkened. A young and handsome groom? Laying hands on his Anne?
He would not have it! "Mrs. Collins! Thank you for this
intelligence - it has been most enlightening. But I must insist
you tell me this instant where Anne is!"
Mary hid her smile.
"Well…I cannot know for certain…but you may wish
to try the billiards room."
"The…the
billiards room?!?"
"Indeed. She
has found the game most enjoyable."
Richard jumped to
his feet. "I thank you, Mrs. Collins…please excuse
me…my best wishes for your health…I will see you tomorrow…"
With that he dashed out of the room.
Mary dissolved in
giggles. This is going better than we planned!
Richard ran down
the halls, disregarding the open looks of astonishment from the
housekeeping staff. Grasping a banister, he whirled around and
down the flight of stairs to the lowest level. Another moment
he had reached that symbol of male sanctuary, the billiards room.
There he found the most disconcerting image: Anne, facing the
door, leaning over to line up a shot, her décolletage
shown to great advantage in her low-cut neckline - and quite
alone.
"Hello, Richard,"
she said. She struck the cue-ball with her stick, sending another
ball into the corner pocket. "(sniff) When did you arrive?"
The colonel was
speechless as he shut the door absent mindlessly behind him;
many improper thoughts raced through his head.
"Did you have
a good trip?" she inquired as she scanned to table for her
next shot.
Richard was temporarily
struck dumb; he could only observe her move gracefully about
the table. "Ummm…yes… Quite nice journey…Oh
God…"
Anne had bent over
again, her posterior reveling itself to be most enticing. She
tried a bank shot and failed. "Oh, fiddlesticks! (cough)"
she cried. "Well, Richard, I suppose it is your turn
to play." She walked over to him and handed him the stick.
Richard took it without a thought; but was taken aback by Anne's
hands lingering on his. He could feel the heat radiating from
her body. He felt as uncomfortable, as un-cousinly, as he did
last spring in that very room.
Finally his confused
mind began to work. Anne is flirting with me! He grasped
her hand with his right, holding the stick in his left, and demanded
of her, "What kind of game are you playing at, my girl?"
Anne's eyes grew
wide. How is it I never noticed how pretty they are? he
thought.
"What game,
cousin?"
"This! You
have obviously played billiards before; you could not have become
so proficient without many months of practice. Yet you led me
to believe that you needed my assistance when last I was here."
She looked at him
square in the eyes. "I thought you could teach me (sniff)
things…"
"Stop it! Do
you know what your mother is saying? She says I should take Darcy's
place!"
Anne frowned. "Did
she?"
"She did!"
"I do not believe
Miss Elizabeth would care for that."
"What…?
Miss Eliza…? Anne! I mean Lady Catherine demands that we
marry! You and I!"
"Oh; (sniff)
and this distresses you?"
"No, I did
not say… Anne…your mother…your mother is at it
again…she wants a union of Matlock and Rosings in the place
of her disappointment over Pemberley. Anne…what I mean to
say…Oh, Anne, what do you want?"
"(cough) I
see no difficulty in a union of Rosings and Matlock."
Before Richard could
digest those words, the door to the room flew open. "Colonel
Fitzwilliam; I am requested by my honored patroness…Oh!
Oh, my goodness! Pardon me…I did not wish to interrupt!
But…but this is unseemly, sir…single people alone behind
a closed door! It will not do…!"
"BE SILENT,
MAN!" Richard pointed the cue stick at Mr. Collins like
a cavalry saber. The officer turned to the lady. "You…you
have no objection?"
"No, Richard."
"Really?"
She looked at him
through her lashes. "No; none at all."
Richard looked at
his cousin for long moments, considering her statement. "Then…shall
we give it a go, old girl?"
Anne's smile was
breathtaking. "Very well - I will 'give it a go.'"
Without a thought,
Richard raised Anne's hand, which he still held in his, to his
lips to seal the understanding. Once his lips touched her skin,
he was loath to release her. "I…I suppose I should
go to your mother now, Anne…"
"That will
not be necessary, Richard," Lady Catherine cried as she
swept into the room, followed by Mary. "Are you satisfied
with his proposal, Anne?"
"(sniff) It
will do, Mother," Anne responded with a twinkle in her eye.
"Excellent.
I do not understand all this carrying on about proposals; however,
I am sure your late father would have given an excellent one,
had he had the choice of the matter. Now, come along, Anne; we
have planning to do. Kindly release my daughter, Richard. You
will have plenty of time to court on your way to Hertfordshire."
Richard let go of
Anne's hand. "Umm…of course. Planning?"
Lady Catherine gave
him a withering stare. "For the wedding, of course! We cannot
leave these things to chance, you know. The union of our houses
requires a ceremony equal to our stature. Months of preparation
is needed! Is your education that bereft? It is your mother's
doing, I dare say." The three women turned and left the
room, talking over each other.
"Your husband
shall officiate, of course, Mrs. Collins, but I will have my
part of the conversation about the sermon…"
"Shall you
make an announcement at the Wedding Breakfast, Anne?"
"Of course
she shall! We must have our share in the entertainment! I shall
entrust this to you, Anne…
"Oh, what shall
I wear? (sniff) Shall it be blue or yellow?"
"You do not
know all the best shops, Anne. I will guide you…"
"Oh, she would
look divine in blue..."
"As long as
it is not white! (cough) Why anyone would marry in white is beyond
me…"
As the voices faded
with distance, Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at Mr. Collins in confusion.
"Pardon me, Mr. Collins," said the officer, "perhaps
you will be kind enough to enlighten me. What just happened here?"
Collins started
and then stopped. He struggled, then with an apologetic look
said, "My dear colonel, it has been my experience not to
think overmuch at times like these. It is best that the ladies
get their way. Hearken to me when I advise you that it works
out for the best in the long run if one…just…goes along…"
"I am engaged,
though?"
"Yes, you are."
"I see. Well,
that is well." Colonel the Hon. Richard Fitzwilliam, a newly
engaged gentleman of two and thirty, sighed. "Apparently
the ladies will be occupied until dinner. Mr. Collins, what say
you to a glass of port and a game of billiards while we wait?"
~~~~}+{~~~~
Caroline Bingley
sat in the pew of the Meryton Church trying to understand what
was going on. There before the alter was her brother Charles,
a participant in a wedding ceremony. Jane was his bride. This
was not unusual - Caroline had come to the regrettable conclusion
that she must suffer Miss Bennet as her sister-in-law. Which
was no bad thing, really. Jane was a sweet, lovely girl. Yes,
Charles could have done better, but he also could have done much,
much worse. Like the other participant of the wedding. The other
groom. Mr. Darcy. Who was getting married. To Elizabeth Bennet.
What has happened?
Three months ago,
she was enjoying the company of Mr. Darcy, Charles was safe from
Miss Bennet and all were safely away from Hertfordshire. Now
her brother was making Jane her sister and Darcy was marrying
the impertinent Eliza Bennet. And all of the Darcy family (except
Lady Catherine de Bourgh) was in attendance! In spite of her
letter - in spite of everything!
What has happened?
No, no - this is wrong. It should be me getting married - to
Mr. Darcy. Perhaps this is a dream. Perhaps if I close my eyes
very tightly, and open them, this will all go away…
She tried. It did
not serve.
Mr. Darcy was repeating
his vows. "With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee
worship..."
I believe I will
be ill now…
~~~~}+{~~~~
The breakfast finally
over, the Darcys made their escape to the townhouse in London.
The pair could hardly restrain their passions, but as the carriage
carried two coachmen and two footmen, it would not do to begin
their married life by scandalizing the help. Within a few hours
they were safely delivered, and they found themselves in their
private apartments as soon as propriety allowed.
"My love, my
love," Darcy murmured as he undressed his bride, "how
long I have longed for this moment…to make you mine in all
ways."
Elizabeth shuddered
in delight as she trailed kisses along the line of his jaw down
his strong neck. Who knew gentlemen were so agreeable without
cravats? "H…Husband, I must ask a favor of you…"
"Anything,
my heart."
"Oh, Fitzwilliam,
I love the pet names you have for me…"
He chuckled. "Then
it shall be my agreeable task to dream up a hundred for you,
my own." He began trailing kisses over her rapidly-revealing
flesh.
"But…oh,
that is nice! But you must - Fitzwilliam! Stop, or I shall grow
distracted!"
"I thought
that was the point of all this."
"Teasing, teasing
man! You take my body away from me! I have something important
to say!"
"Very well,
Elizabeth; what to you wish of me?"
"You must promise
me, most firmly, that you will NEVER, EVER call me Lizzy-kins!"
Darcy looked at
his half-dressed wife. "'Lizzy-kins'?"
"Swear! Or
I shall leave you forever!"
"Doubtful."
"Fitzwilliam,
please - I beg you!"
Darcy shook his
head. "It is easily done, as I would never call the Queen
of my Soul such a name as…"
"DON'T SAY
IT!"
"My lips are
sealed, Mrs.…"
Elizabeth found
a way of quieting him.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Who could doubt
the happiness which followed? Mr. and Mrs. Darcy would retire
to Pemberley after a week's visit to London. Georgiana would
follow after another month's stay at Matlock, to the delight
of all involved. Kitty, now Miss Bennet, would join them in time
to prepare for the Season, where the spirited pair would make
quite the impression. Both would eventually marry very well in
the years to come. Of course, the ton was mostly interested
in the new Mrs. Darcy, and if there were any unkind words mentioned
about that lady, it was confined to young women and their mothers
who had for years set their caps on the Master of Pemberley.
Those without such interest would exclaim Darcy's bride as a
most excellent match, charmed as they were by her beauty, wit
and graciousness. However, jealous of their privacy, the Darcys
would cause a small scandal by removing to Derbyshire when the
Season was only half over, there to begin the process of delivering
five more Darcys into the world.
Mr. and Mrs. Bingley's
happiness was almost as great; one could say that distance from
Longbourn played a deciding factor. Mrs. Bennet despaired of
Jane fulfilling her duty to producing a Bingley heir; a concern
that justified a daily presence at Netherfield. Bingley was a
very easy-going and considerate man; it took a twelve-month before
he came to the conclusion that a new estate was necessary to
his position in life. To Mrs. Bennet's disappointment, a suitable
place could not be found closer than Derbyshire. She was consoled
by the loss of the society her eldest daughter by the news six
months later that Jane had conceived the first of what was to
be four children. It would never cross her mind that there was
a connection between the removal and the Bingleys' domestic bliss.
Mr. and Mrs. Collins
position at Rosings was enhanced by the marriage of Colonel Fitzwilliam
to Miss de Bourgh. Mr. Darcy was instrumental in the decision
of his aunt and his cousin to make substantial improvements to
the living at Hunsford; therefore Mr. Collins was not of a mind
to request a better living from his brother-in-law, perhaps in
Derbyshire. This pleased Mrs. Collins; for she and her children
would not loose the company of her close friend, Mrs. Fitzwilliam,
and her offspring; and Mr. Collins was constantly occupied in
attending to Lady Catherine and his gardens, which became legendary
in Kent.
Lydia Wickham's
happiness would last but two years before her unfortunate Wickie
was shot by an enraged husband while fleeing a married woman's
bed. Darcy set up the Widow Wickham in a hat shop in London,
where she promptly went bankrupt and was only saved from debtor's
prison by marrying an embezzler sentenced to transport to Australia.
Caroline Bingley
was kidnapped by pirates, or gypsies, or some such group; no
one could be certain. She ultimately turned up in Paris after
the war, ensconced there as the mistress of a very wealthy French
noble.
And as for Charlotte
Lucas…
~~~~}+{~~~~
Six months had passed
since Fitzwilliam Darcy irritated half of the mothers in London
by marring Miss Bennet. As wonderful as married life would prove,
Derbyshire was rather north of Mrs. Darcy's friends and relations.
It was expected that she would request female company - not that
there was anything lacking in Miss Darcy, mind you.
So it was, on that
summer's day, that Miss Charlotte Lucas found herself exploring
the grounds of Pemberley. It was warm, and her frock was rather
thinner than her usual wear; but as there was no-one about she
thought little of it.
The last week at
Elizabeth's new house was all delightful, and she was a little
sad that a gentleman was to join them today, a Captain Tilney.
Charlotte enjoyed being with Lizzy again, and she was loath to
share her. While at Pemberley, she could forget her unsettledness.
For Miss Lucas was
uneasy; and had felt that way for some time. Something was amiss,
but she could not put her finger upon it. Coming to a wooden
footbridge over a stream, the lady crossed halfway and took in
the aspect of the great house.
Yes, she had been
uneasy for over a year, since learning of Mary's engagement to
Mr. Collins. Not that she had any claims on that gentleman -
she hardly knew him. It just felt…wrong, somehow. As if
the Universe itself had changed. And somehow, this was to affect
her destiny in ways she could not know.
Distracted, she
paid no mind to the creaking of the boards beneath her feet.
It was not until she leaned against the railing did she remember
Mr. Darcy's warning about that footbridge - the bridge scheduled
to be replaced because it was rotting.
Oh, bother, she thought as the railing gave way
and she fell into the stream.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Captain Frederick
Tilney was late for his visit to Pemberley, as usual. But this
time it was not his fault. His father, the General, had pressing
business with him back at Northanger Abbey - to berate his eldest
son his lack of a wife and heir. Blast the old sot! Tilney
raged as he rode the back ways into Pemberley, I believe he
was placed upon this Earth to bedevil me! Is not Henry and Catherine
enough for him?
Passing through
a stand of trees, he beheld a figure emerging from the stream
nearby. His first inclination was to ride closer and offer aid,
but at a second glace he thought better of it. He was not called
Eagle-Eyed Tilney for nothing.
Zounds! The way
her thin dress clings to her - it is as if she was wearing nothing!
Who could that beauty be? Tis not Mrs. Darcy (too tall) or Miss
Darcy (not blonde). Another guest at Pemberley?
Reaching down he
quieted his horse while watching the woman walk towards the manor
house. He told himself that he was being polite - it would not
do to intrude upon her in the state she was in. He convinced
himself that he only watched her out of concern - to make sure
that no further misfortune befell her. The enticing movement
of her hips and bottom was just an unintended reward for his
gallantry.
~~~~}+{~~~~
"Oh, Charlotte!
I am so sorry! Mr. Darcy warned me of that bridge…"
"Lizzy, I am
fine," Charlotte assured her. "It is a warm day; I
am not chilled. Mortified; but not harmed."
"Well,"
the Mistress of Pemberley grinned, "We shall just fix you
up. Come with me." Minutes later the two ladies were in
Elizabeth's dressing room; her Abigail attending them.
"Lizzy!"
Charlotte cried. "I cannot wear this gown! It is too…"
"Nonsense!
It looks lovely on you."
"I believe
I shall fall out of it!"
Elizabeth laughed.
"No, you shall not, my dear friend. Now…about your
hair…"
~~~~}+{~~~~
Tilney eased himself
in an armchair in the sitting room, enjoying a bit of wine with
Darcy, when the ladies made their appearance. Jumping to his
feet and bowing to them, his eyes never left the lady next to
Mrs. Darcy. Her face is cannot be called beautiful, he
thought, but it is handsome enough. The way she fills out
that dress makes up for much. He thought back to the first
time he beheld her, wet and exposed, and grinned.
A few moments conversation
showed that Miss Lucas had something more between her ears than
air. She was different than the usual girls Tilney wasted his
time with: they were lovely and boring. The intelligence behind
her eyes stirred him. Watch out for the plain, quiet ones,
he had been warned, their gratefulness for attention will
astonish you. He felt a need to try out that old wives' tale.
As dinner was announced,
Tilney made his way to Miss Lucas as quickly as he could. "May
I escort you in to dinner, Miss Lucas?" He held out his
arm.
Charlotte blinked.
Was he talking to her? "Y…yes, that would be delightful,
Captain Tilney."
Three months later
he successfully proposed. And the old wives' tale proved most
accurate, at least in this case. But that is another story…
~~~~}+{~~~~
Therefore, it was
only with a slight qualification could Mrs. Bennet exclaim to
her husband as he prepared for yet another unannounced visit
to Pemberley and its vast library, "Oh, Mr. Bennet! God
has been so good to us - save for that part about Lydia. Oh,
my poor nerves!"
THE END
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