Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The foursome returned to the house, and the ladies dressed for their call on Lady Matlock. Half an hour later, they were in the carriage for the short trip to Matlock House.
Matlock House was somewhat more regal than Darcy House, but unlike Rosings, the room they were shown to was comfortable rather than ostentatious.
Elizabeth was introduced to Lady Matlock, and the lady looked her over before speaking.
“It is lovely to meet you, Miss Bennet. My nephew thinks you are worthy, and my son also speaks highly of you; I am inclined to welcome you to the family without reservation. When Richard brought back the news of William’s engagement, I was surprised, as I did not know he was even courting anyone, but then he told me a bit about your relationship, which explained much. ”
“And do I pass inspection, Lady Matlock?” Elizabeth said, looking the lady directly in the eye.
She laughed. “Absolutely, my dear.” She patted the seat next to her.
“Come, sit, and we will talk about William and make our plans. Gentlemen, the earl asked me to send you to him when you arrived. Georgiana, I am pleased to see you, though forgive me for dedicating my attention to Miss Bennet on this visit. If you would like, you are welcome to use the piano in the music room to practise.”
Bemused, Richard and Georgiana left the room. William remained. “Aunt, I need to speak to you briefly.”
“Later, William,” she dismissed him. “I wish to get to know your Miss Bennet for a time.”
William left reluctantly and only after Elizabeth smiled reassuringly and patted his arm. “I will be well, William.”
Lady Matlock looked on, pleased with how well William responded to Elizabeth. They appeared to have a good relationship already, and she could see this woman would be good for her nephew.
“You managed him well,” Lady Matlock said. “Now, you must call me Aunt Rebecca, and may I call you Elizabeth?”
“I would like that, Aunt Rebecca. I am looking forward to getting to know you,” Elizabeth laughed.
“Now, tell me about yourself. Richard mentioned you are from Hertfordshire?” Lady Matlock asked.
Elizabeth’s expression grew shuttered. “That is what William wanted to speak to you about. In the last fortnight, my family situation has changed somewhat.”
“Is everything all right, dear?” Lady Matlock asked.
“My father has decided to cut me off for becoming engaged to William. It is … frankly, it is rather inexplicable, and he refuses to explain his reasoning. I am at a loss to understand it, and William is equally baffled. So, instead of marrying from Longbourn, we plan to marry in London, although we have not worked out the details yet of where or when,” Elizabeth explained.
“I know William planned to discuss this with you, and with the change in my circumstances, we had begun to consider the idea of marrying sooner, so I may be introduced as Mrs. Darcy since I can no longer claim to be from Longbourn.”
“Oh, my dear, I am so sorry to hear this,” Lady Matlock said and then sat considering it all for a moment.
“I think you may be right, my dear. If we can get the two of you married in the next week or so, we can wait to introduce you to society after. You have known William for what, almost ten months, so it cannot be considered sudden. Many of my friends know William is not particularly social, so it will be no surprise to most that he has chosen a country lass rather than a society miss. William has always detested the grasping and insipid women one most often encounters. I am certain I am going to like you.”
“Thank you, Aunt Rebecca,” Elizabeth said. “I have learned that William is a truly exceptional man, and I am grateful he has allowed me to see the version of himself he hides from the world.”
Rebecca nodded, well pleased with her new niece.
There would be many women jealous of Elizabeth’s good fortune, but she would do everything she could to support her in society.
William would have to tolerate participating in the season more than he typically did in the upcoming year, but the woman he had chosen would be an excellent partner for him and aid him through it.
Reassured, she shifted the conversation to other things, and they discussed Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle and the planned shopping outings. Similar to her son, the countess invited herself along on the shopping trip for Elizabeth’s wedding gown and trousseau.
An hour later, the gentlemen returned, and Elizabeth was introduced to the earl.
“Welcome to the family, Miss Bennet. We consider William almost a third son, so I know my wife is pleased to finally get one to the altar. And the youngest one at that.” He nudged Richard while William grinned at Elizabeth.
That lady laughed. “Aunt Rebecca and I will be on the lookout for a suitable lady this coming season,” she teased, which made William and the earl laugh at Richard’s discomfort.
“I am afraid I must leave immediately,” Richard attempted.
“You have teased me for years, Richard. You cannot leave yet,” William cried.
“Stay, Richard,” Lady Rebecca commanded. “We need to discuss William’s wedding.”
“Why must I be here for this?” he asked.
“Elizabeth told me of her difficulties with her family. I imagine you are already aware. I want the family prepared to support this union without any dissidents—other than Catherine, of course,” Rebecca said.
The earl nodded. “She would create problems regardless of whom William married. She has perpetuated the fiction of the cradle engagement so long I think she believes it herself now.”
“We had thought obtaining a common license the simplest idea,” William said. “We did not want to risk calling the banns because of Aunt Catherine, and now, it seems the best solution.”
“Your connection to the archbishop would make it relatively easy for you to obtain a special licence,” the earl reminded him.
“You might have trouble obtaining a common licence since neither of you legally resides in London. It is also too late today to get the licence. If you want to marry next week, you must meet with your great uncle early tomorrow and obtain the special licence.”
“Elizabeth, what do you think?” Rebecca asked.
She looked at William. “May we discuss it and tell you tomorrow? Nothing can be done until then anyway, correct?”
The earl and countess smiled. “Yes, dear, I think that is a good idea. Although William should meet with his great uncle tomorrow morning regardless, as it will make it easier to plan the wedding whenever we decide to have it,” Rebecca advised.
“Now, I understand from William you are spending tonight at Darcy House since your aunt and uncle went to Hertfordshire to pick up their children. I want to invite all of you, especially your aunt and uncle, to dine with us Saturday night. Anthony will be here then and will be thrilled to meet you, Elizabeth.”
“I will need to check with them, but it should not be a problem. Thank you, Aunt Rebecca. I will send a note when I have had a chance to discuss it with them,” Elizabeth said.
“It is settled then,” Lady Rebecca said. “You must also send me a note about the time and date of your appointment with the modiste. We are dining out tonight, or I would invite you to dine here. Send a note if you come to any decisions tonight, or we will speak tomorrow, William.”
He nodded, and they prepared to leave. Georgiana joined them, and they got into the carriage for the short trip back to his house. Georgiana retired to her room for a rest before dinner, but Elizabeth and William headed into the library to speak further.
“I like your aunt and uncle, William,” Elizabeth said as soon as they sat down. “They are nothing like I expected, especially after meeting Lady Catherine.”
“I could say the same about your uncle and your mother,” William laughed. “Although, I belatedly realised I would prefer your mother to my Aunt Catherine. At least your mother seems to mean well most of the time.”
Elizabeth laughed. “What do you think about the wedding, William? If you obtain a common licence tomorrow, we could marry next Saturday, I think. With a special licence, we could marry whenever and wherever we like once you obtain it. My aunt and uncle attend a church near their home, and I do not know enough about the licensing requirements to know what is necessary to be considered a resident of a parish.”
“I had not considered that aspect until Uncle Henry brought it up. He may be right; neither of us meets the requirements to be considered a resident of a parish here in London, although I do own a home here and attend a church in Mayfair when I am in town. The archbishop is my great uncle, and with Uncle Henry’s assistance, obtaining a special licence might be the simplest and best solution.
And it may be the only way to marry unless we wish to wait several more weeks. ”
“It sounds like the most practical solution is obtaining a special licence. Once you have it, we can decide when and where,” Elizabeth said. “I do not want to wait weeks, not now.”
“I know, Elizabeth,” William said, drawing her to his chest.
“Would you like to marry here? In Darcy House? Maybe even in the library?” She grinned at the thought.
William laughed. “I think my family would appreciate the irony of me marrying in a library and find even more humour in the fact that it was my bride’s suggestion.” He paused and looked at her. “You would mind not being married in a church?” he asked her.
“I like the idea of being married—where seems far less significant. We would need to check with my uncle to see when he would be free to give me away, but with a special licence, we can marry at any time, not just in the morning,” Elizabeth said.
“I wonder if my great uncle could be persuaded to perform the ceremony,” William said absently.
Elizabeth squeaked. “Your great uncle, the archbishop?”
He laughed. “He still performs the occasional wedding. Typically, only for family, though.”