Chapter Fifteen #2
“You, Fitzwilliam, are the image of George Darcy not only in looks but also in character. Your father, in his quest to win Anne’s hand, elucidated the numerous reasons why she was an excellent choice of wife.
Good breeding, good blood, good dowry, I am sure you can picture in your mind the image of your father waxing eloquent on the benefits of marriage to my youngest sister. ”
“Those are all good reasons to pursue a woman.”
“Are you daft, man?” Richard spluttered and looked toward the earl. “I do not know why you even try, Father. He does not understand.”
“Darcy,” Uncle Robert continued, “Not once did your father speak of his love for Anne. In her anger, she told him to attend Tattersall and purchase the best mare he could find, one of good breeding and good blood. As a wedding gift to him and his unnamed horse, she sent him five thousand pounds. She told him…” Uncle began to laugh so hard he had to wipe tears from his eyes.
“She told him she hoped he and the horse would be happy.”
That would explain the cryptic remark made by his father whenever his parents had one of their rare disagreements. ‘I am off to ride my well-dowered horse.’ Knowing their history, the comment became more poignant.
“She said yes to his proposal, bungled or not. I am a proof of her change of heart.”
“Her heart never changed. She loved your father deeply, but he placed more importance on tangible things rather than intangible ones. He loved her as the daughter of an earl, but he did not value her as a person. He had to learn that family was more than where you laid your head at night, it was who lay beside you that counted. He spent six lonely months in Derbyshire before he mounted the horse he’d bought from Tattersalls in a fit of anger and made his way to Matlock. ”
“Was it a well-bred horse?”
All the men began to laugh at Richard’s quip.
“We have to stop,” Uncle cried holding his sides. “I can scarcely breathe.”
“I was only five at the time,” Ashton said, “but I remember Uncle George coming to Matlock with a magnificent horse. The only reason it stuck with me, was that Aunt Anne stood at the window as he rode up, and I remember her cursing. She never cursed.”
“What did she say?”
“She said, I cannot believe he bought the damned horse.”
Uncle Robert guffawed once more and slapped his thigh.
“It was more than a magnificent horse; it was one of the finest stallions ever bred by Tattersalls. As he dismounted, Anne stood on the stairs in front of the house. With the reins in his hand, your father swept a low courtier’s bow and said, ‘Woman, I have bought a horse as you suggested.’”
“I am sure she was pleased. Mother was an excellent horsewoman.”
“Oh no, Darcy. You do not know the whole story. She said he must have hit his head as he bought a stallion. He replied he had made no mistake and bought the horse for breeding purposes. He then asked if she had a suitable mare.”
Darcy knew his mouth had dropped open at the brazen insult his father had delivered to his mother.
“I know you are shocked, but you may not remember your mother had a fine sense of humor and without saying a word, she took hold of the reins and led the stallion to the paddocks. As you know, Pemberley has some of the finest stock of horses. This was the genesis of all that.”
“Did he not tell her he loved her?”
“That remained private between your parents, Darcy, but know this. They were quite passionate about each other and although they never said the words out loud in public, every move and every look between them was permeated with love. He could not have won her hand any other way. The stallion was the impetus for getting them to converse again.”
“Does your wife ride? She may appreciate a fine horse from Tattersalls.”
Darcy glared at Richard, who was having too much fun at his expense.
“She does not, she prefers to walk.”
“Then, be glad you led the charge with words of love. Mounting and riding will hopefully follow soon.”
“I would ask that you refrain from making ribald remarks about my wife.”
“Darcy, be grateful you can kick off your boots and loosen your cravat with family. Nothing we say will leave these four walls. All of us want you to have a happy marriage with Elizabeth.”
Talk among the men then turned to the war with France.
Uncle Matlock had more information about the ongoing conflict in Spain, thanks to his conversation that afternoon with the ambassador.
Richard added his perspective as he had spent considerable time there with Wellington.
It was as Darcy was about to follow his cousins to the drawing room where the ladies were being entertained by Georgiana when his uncle pulled him aside.
“Nephew, I am well aware of the less-than-ideal conditions of the beginning of your marriage, but let me congratulate you on securing the hand of Elizabeth. If she had been introduced to society, as was her right given who her mother and grandfather were, you may have had to fight off a few hopeful lords and even quite possibly a royal son, or two.”
“Thank you, Uncle Robert. Even before I knew of Elizabeth’s heritage, I was extremely grateful to have her in my life. At first, I was not keen because I thought she had conspired with Wickham.”
“You now know that is not true.”
“Aye, and even before that knowledge, I was trying to find a way for us to move forward. She has held my heart for quite some time, although she was unaware until tonight.”
“That was magnificent.” Uncle Robert chuckled.
“I have never seen Cathy so flummoxed other than when your mother announced her engagement. Ensure that Mrs. Whittaker guards the bed linens like the Crown jewels. There is no telling what my sister might attempt.” Uncle waved his hand.
“Come, we must join the ladies. If I know my wife, she is planning a strategy to countermand any of my sister’s harebrained ideas.
You will not want to miss this. She should be leading our armies.
We would never lose a battle if she did. ”
The two of them made their way to the drawing room and upon his entry, Darcy noted that Elizabeth had been watching for him. Her cheeks flushed slightly before she turned her attention back to Aunt Lucinda.
“…so, tomorrow we shall attend Madame Etienne’s.
” Aunt Lucinda held up her hand when Elizabeth’s mouth opened slightly to challenge.
“No, my dear. This time you will attend a modiste the ton is familiar with. You do not need to commission a whole wardrobe, but you must have something substantial made. Oh! – she gasped – your court gown. You require a gown for your presentation. That will be perfect.”
“I had not planned on being presented, Aunt Lucinda.”
“Stuff and nonsense. This is something you cannot avoid. At least, not any longer. Now, we will all attend the theater next Thursday and even though you are technically newlyweds, you must ride in Hyde Park at least twice a week.”
“I do not ride.”
“Not at all?”
“No, ma’am. Not at all.”
“Then, you shall take an open carriage.”
“Aunt! It is the middle of winter. We would freeze in an open carriage,” Darcy interceded on his wife’s behalf.
“Oh, horse feathers! Fine. If the weather permits, walk the promenade for at least a half hour. That will make the harpies happy and Elizabeth happy, as I have heard she is a great walker.”
“We will not walk the promenade in the middle of winter; however, we could attend some public functions. Elizabeth and I have already discussed a play, one of the bard’s comedies as my wife dearly loves to laugh, and maybe an opera, but only if she is amenable to the suggestion.”
By this time, he had come by her side and she looked up at him with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am amenable to the play we agreed upon the other night and I am open to any opera you recommend.”
“Which play was that?” Aunt Lucinda asked.
“The Taming of the Shrew,” Darcy said, sending a conspiratorial grin in the direction of his wife, and was rewarded by a soft smile.
“How apt, given why we are upping the timeline of your introduction to society.” His aunt began laying out her strategy.
“To counter whatever offensive Catherine may attempt to mount, you will have no choice but to join me the next few weeks for visiting hours and to return visits. We shall start with Lady Jersey and secure your voucher to Almack’s. ”
Aunt Lucinda looked at Darcy.
“Tomorrow, I will send notice to the Lord Chamberlain that I am sponsoring Elizabeth and for him to add her name to the court list for presentation, on April 30. It will be a busy day as this is the first time the Queen has agreed to host them in over two years. Fortunately, as Elizabeth is a minor Spanish royal, she will take precedence and we might not have to wait that long. It would be such a pleasure to avoid the congestion of carriages sure to fill the streets.” She gave Elizabeth a large smile.
“And it will drive the denizens of the ton crazy with a need to know who you are. If you are not declared this season’s Incomparable, I will eat my hat. ”
She then outlined a timetable of two months, including Elizabeth learning to walk, curtsy, and bow elegantly whilst walking backward with a ridiculously long train during her court presentation.
“Trust me on this, darling girl. You will want to be proficient. The gown is cumbersome, wider than a church door, and it is almost impossible to sit in the carriage without the hoops flying up and hitting you in the face. You will thank me later.”
Darcy’s uncle inclined his head toward his wife with raised brows as if to say, ‘Did I not tell you?’ and he smiled despite himself. Indeed, the war would be over if left to the women.