Chapter 27 #2
Without asking, Darcy poured each a glass of wine. His companions took it in silence.
“I did not come here to crawl and beg your forgiveness; none of your threats frighten me,” the earl said.
“I imagined as much,” Wilson replied.
“And I shall certainly not discuss my private life; it is no one’s business what I do within the privacy of my residence. You must be aware, however, that such rumours spread in Town would hurt Lady Matlock most undeservedly.”
Wilson glared at him. “Just as you should be aware that I would do nothing to harm Lady Matlock or any innocent person. I only mentioned your mistresses so you would know that I have followed you closely; I know every detail about you. The way you conduct your life and betray your wife is between you and your conscience.”
The earl attempted to defend himself. “I am no better and no worse than other men of my situation.”
“True. With the exception of George Darcy—and his son.”
“That I shall not even debate,” Lord Matlock agreed.
He paused, swallowed some wine, and continued.
“I admit that I was among the duke’s critics.
I disputed his controversial decisions while he led His Majesty’s army, but I always did it openly.
There was no conspiracy, and I stand by my opinions.
I never concealed or hid my intention; my fights are always in the open. ”
“Ha! Except when you fight with a young man of twenty with little significance and few friends! Then you hire men to beat him to death in the middle of the night!” Wilson shouted, pacing the room.
“I admit my fault! It is a duty of honour to apologize for a mistake that remains singular in my entire life. I accept that I harmed you purposely, but I acted for the benefit of my sister. It is not an excuse but an explanation. Otherwise, I had nothing against you!”
“That ‘explanation’ I have known for a long time,” Wilson said angrily.
“That you did it in the belief that I was a danger to your sister. At first, I thought Catherine cared for me and was scared by you and your parents. I assumed you were the ones who forbade her to marry me until I finally discovered the truth from her own mouth. I tried to explain that to you, but you would not listen.”
“How could you expect me to listen to a strange young man against my own sister?”
“I may not expect that, but I do expect one to assume his errors and pay for them.”
“I shall fairly pay if that is needed to remedy my wrongs.”
“You cannot remedy the loss of twenty-five years from one’s life.”
“Come now, Wilson, it was your decision to live abroad! You cannot put all the blame on me! You could have asked Darcy’s help to move to another county!
I only demanded that you leave my sister!
That is why I took her to Matlock—but you followed her!
Why on earth did you come to Matlock Park that night? ”
“Because she asked me to! Catherine sent me a note asking me to see her at Matlock Park—at the crossroads!” Wilson lost his temper completely.
The earl stared at him in disbelief. “Catherine asked you to come?”
“Yes! We had a terrible fight when I asked her to marry me against her family’s wishes.
I promised I would take care of her, and she laughed at me.
She called me names and told me I was nothing but a diversion until her marriage.
I did not even know she was engaged! But we were…
very close, so I asked her what would happen if she was with child.
She said she would rather kill me than hear me say those words again.
She demanded that I leave her forever. Then she moved from Pemberley, and I decided to join the army.
I was devastated until I received a note asking me to meet her at Matlock.
And there I encountered you and your men.
And I left with serious injuries and this scar I shall carry all my life.
Tell me, how can you remedy this?” Wilson demanded with such a menacingly sharp voice that Darcy stepped between them to protect his uncle.
But the earl simply sat down, the wine glass trembling in his hand.
“Catherine wrote to you?” he repeated. “But she knew you would be captured by my men if you came.”
Wilson and Darcy both stared at him then at each other. Darcy turned pale and Wilson red with fury.
“Of course she knew,” Wilson replied.
“Dear Lord,” Darcy whispered to himself, brushing his fingers through his hair.
The earl contemplated his glass for a while in complete silence. Wilson gazed at him for some time; then he sat too. Darcy stared at the two men.
“I shall leave you now,” the earl said, moving hesitantly. “I apologize for disturbing you. I congratulate you on your wedding, Darcy. I must leave now.” Darcy held his arm to support his shaky steps.
Wilson rose to his feet. “Lord Matlock!” he shouted as the earl approached the door.
The earl turned to gaze back at him.
“You should stay and have another drink,” Wilson continued. “You look truly ill, and there is no need for you to worry Lady Matlock and the other guests.”
Silence followed his words. Puzzlement and disbelief—then finally defeat and surrender.
“You may be right,” the earl admitted reluctantly. Then he walked back carefully, one cautious step after the other, and resumed his place.
Darcy filled their glasses again, and silence descended upon the library.
Wilson finally spoke. “You were an idiot to enter into that illicit business with Jarvis. Both you and Catherine lost quite a sum of money. You are both idiots, but from you, I had better expectations.”
Two pairs of eyes considered him doubtfully.
“I have never been good at business. I usually waste more than I earn,” the earl admitted. “Again, I cannot compare to George Darcy or his son.”
“True—your fault and your loss. That money I cannot return,” Wilson said.
“I would never dare ask a business partner to repay my stupidity,” Lord Matlock replied.
“Good. I shall use the money to build a school for boys and girls near Lambton. I wish to open the path to education for those who cannot afford it. I have purchased a small estate fifteen miles away.” Wilson continued talking about business affairs under the dumbfounded scrutiny of Darcy and his uncle.
“That is an excellent idea,” Darcy readily approved. “I would like to be part of it if you will allow me. I shall help in any way I can, and I am sure Elizabeth and Georgiana will be happy to assist you.”
“I am counting on that. Now—what about another glass of wine?” Wilson asked, and the conversation suddenly turned towards this new subject.
Along with fears, disappointment, anger, regrets, and sorrow—twenty-five years of hatred and revenge—Mr Wilson’s scar slowly lost its painful significance.
Lord Matlock hurried to comply with the request of the man he tried to murder twenty-five years ago, filled his glass, and handed it to him.
∞∞∞
The Matlocks remained at Pemberley for a few hours. They were privately informed about their son’s engagement to Anne—to their astonishment—and their joy matched their surprise.
“I would like to keep it secret until I am able to tell Mother,” Anne explained shyly. “I do not want to upset her.”
“I applaud your loyalty, my dear, but I believe it is time for us to give less importance to Catherine’s upsets. You should think only of your happiness,” the earl told his niece. “If you and Richard agree, you should apply for a special license and marry as soon as possible.”
“I surely do agree,” the colonel said. “Anne and I admitted our feelings for each other more than two months ago. I believe our engagement has been long enough,” he said, taking Anne’s hand.
“I am not certain. I must think about it…but it is good to know you approve of our marriage,” Anne said thankfully, smiling at her betrothed and her relatives.
“We do, most heartily,” Lady Matlock said.
“We never imagined it might happen. We always felt you were like our own daughter and never thought of you in any other way. But what a joy, what excellent news you have given us! Will you not come with us to Matlock? It is quieter, less crowded, and more peaceful. Would it not be more comfortable for you?”
“No…” Anne responded. “We would rather stay here. I feel so good—so alive.”
“I agree,” the colonel supported her. “We shall let you know what we decide. And we might visit you one of these days.”
After the conversation in the library, Darcy was deeply affected and barely recovered from it the entire day. He struggled to behave properly, but he could not deceive Elizabeth, so her worried gaze followed him until they had the chance to be alone.
When dinner ended and silence finally fell upon Pemberley, he went to his beloved’s room.
He was so sad that her heart broke. As he sought comfort in her arms, he told her about the devastating revelation that his aunt, at the age of only twenty, conspired to murder a man who had fallen in love with her.
Elizabeth took half of his sorrow and readily shared his dark secret. That night, they proved to each other that their love was deeper than a yearning passion and that their embraces were meant not only to fulfil desires but also to provide support and safety.
∞∞∞
Less than a week remained till the wedding of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
All the arrangements were ready; the Matlocks announced their desire to be present, and a large party was planned not only for the Pemberley guests but also for the tenants and the other families in Lambton.
One late afternoon, the joyful party was disrupted by the impromptu appearance many had expected. Lady Catherine de Bourgh descended upon Pemberley, accompanied by her fury and opposition against the nephew who betrayed her by marrying the unworthy daughter of a country nobody.
“What is this?” she yelled when she entered the drawing room.