Chapter 11 #2
And the next morning, he would meet with Mr Gardiner and the other solicitors involved in order to request the release of Elizabeth’s fortune.
Although that had been the reason for their marriage, the idea of giving Wickham Elizabeth’s money sounded increasingly appalling, and that angered him.
Against his nature, character, and education, more than once he had considered that perhaps his cousin was right, and there were other ways — less expensive and more permanent — to get rid of that scoundrel.
The day he and his cousin had called at Gracechurch Street, he had returned home to find another letter from Georgiana, dated only a day after her previous correspondence, telling him she was not feeling well and reminding him that they were waiting for her fortune.
He should have known it was another of Wickham’s schemes, and he did know; but the thought that Georgiana might truly be unwell was too unsettling — so he had hurried north to see her.
He had found her paler and thinner, but she had refused to be seen by a doctor.
Wickham had implied that, once they received the money, they would move permanently to London and Georgiana would be closer to Darcy.
That was his greatest hope — his avowed goal — to give Wickham the money and have his sister back under his protection.
Darcy believed Wickham had a great influence over Georgiana and she was following his demands at every step.
Knowing his nemesis’s foibles and inclinations, Darcy guessed that, once he had all thirty thousand pounds at his disposal, he would indulge himself in all sorts of diverting and probably immoral activities; Georgiana would soon become a burden to him.
If only she would be reasonable enough to understand that returning home with Darcy was the best choice for her.
As for the rest, he would take care of everything, including the potential gossip.
His brief conversation with Elizabeth about Georgiana’s marriage had been painful, even though Elizabeth had shown delicacy and consideration in enquiring about it.
Sooner rather than later, the reports about his sister’s union with Wickham would become public knowledge.
It was a matter of respect to reveal the truth to Elizabeth before everyone else learnt about it.
And the truth was this: his sister had brought into the family a man with no decency, no honour, no remorse or loyalty, a man who had led Darcy’s father and sister to ruin, though in different ways.
The story of how his father had wasted the Darcy fortune was another subject that he had to reveal to Elizabeth, in such a way as to not lose her good opinion about his family. All the secrets he had to carry on behalf of his family name and reputation were a heavy weight pressing on his shoulders.
His valet entered with a tray and placed it on his desk. On it were several messages and notes, and he opened them with little enthusiasm; he could guess their content and expected many more to follow as soon as the report about his marriage reached society.
The first note was from Bingley, asking permission to call with his sisters the next day, as they were ‘eager to meet Mrs Darcy’.
As tiresome as he found Bingley’s sisters, he could not dismiss them.
However, since he already had an engagement with Mr Gardiner, he replied that they would only be in to callers later in the day.
It crossed his mind that the reason for not being in to callers the morning after one’s wedding could be misconstrued, but as the result of such conjecture would be the one he wished to convey, he would leave the note as it was, even though the tips of his ears grew warm.
The next note was from Lady Matlock, informing him that she planned to host a private ball shortly before Christmas, where she intended to introduce Elizabeth to her acquaintances.
That invitation he had to discuss with Elizabeth, but he hoped she would accept, as refusing Lady Matlock was not an easy task.
Reading from one note to another, he lost track of time; eventually, he observed it was already dark out, so he went to ask Elizabeth whether she would prefer a formal dinner or would rather eat in their rooms. Depending on her preference, he would have to change his clothes for dinner — or not.
He hurried upstairs and entered his chambers impulsively, pushing the door open, then suddenly froze in surprise.
In the middle of his bedchamber was Elizabeth, wearing a robe, her hair falling loose down her back, her bare feet in slippers.
At his entrance, she turned red, mumbled an excuse, then ran through the adjoining door, not even stopping to close it.
“Elizabeth, wait,” he called, but she was already gone, so he followed her. At the door, he stopped and knocked on the frame, not stepping across the threshold yet.
“Elizabeth, may I come in?”
“Yes…I am sorry I surprised you. Or rather, you surprised me. I did not expect you to return so soon and I…I just wanted to see your room. I was only there for a moment.”
She looked embarrassed, averting her eyes, so he stepped closer to her.
“Elizabeth, please do not apologise! I specifically invited you to see my room. I just hope you did not run away because you were afraid of me…”
“Afraid of you? Oh no, not at all. But it was suddenly embarrassing that you found me there…and I am so improperly attired…I just had a bath,” she continued, then blushed again.
“I came to ask whether you wished to have dinner in the dining room or in your chamber?”
“What would you prefer? I confess I am not particularly hungry, but I assume the cook has prepared a special dinner, and I would not wish to disappoint her.”
“You are a very wise and considerate woman, Mrs Darcy. I am sure the servants will be delighted if you enjoy the dinner,” he said with a smile.
Somehow, his eyes were attracted to her dark hair falling loose over her shoulders, the delicate bones of her chin, and the elegant length of her throat; he struggled not to stare, but his success was limited.
“Then I shall dress and be ready in half an hour.”
“So shall I, madam.”
“Mr Darcy, may I ask you something? Do you have plans for the coming weeks? My aunt has invited my sister Jane to stay with them for a while, probably for at least a month complete. She arrives in a little over a week, and I wondered whether I could visit her.”
“We have no fixed plans, Mrs Darcy. Please arrange the time as you wish. Perhaps you would consider hosting a dinner and inviting the Gardiners and your sister? We may also invite Bingley — or not. It depends on you.”
“A dinner?” she asked, her eyes widening with apparent pleasure. “I would like that very much, thank you. You may invite anyone you want too — I would be glad to have them, as long as I have my sister and uncle and aunt.”
“Excellent. You may begin planning the dinner when you meet with Mrs Green tomorrow. I shall leave the house early to meet Mr Gardiner. We shall visit your solicitors in regard to your fortune.”
“Oh…very well. May I spend some time in the library?”
“You may spend as much time as you like in any room of the house, Mrs Darcy. You are the mistress.”
“I shall keep that in mind,” she answered with an impish smile and a most becoming blush.
“So, shall I come to fetch you in half an hour?”
“I shall be waiting for you, sir.”
As planned, in half an hour they both were ready and went downstairs arm in arm; the dining room had been arranged and was waiting for them — a more intimate yet elegant setting, for two.
The meal, while not too elaborate, was tasty.
They shared a little bit of conversation, praised the dishes, and sent their joint appreciation to the kitchen.
About two hours later, they returned — also arm in arm — upstairs, wished each other good night, and each entered their room.
They spent the wedding night in their own bedchambers — so close yet so far apart.