Chapter 2.20 #3
“You must be right. We did not intend to keep it secret. We only wished to be all together when we made the announcement.”
The colonel filled his glass then whispered to Darcy, “You have at least the consolation of knowing you are much better than Mr Collins.”
Darcy cast him a sharp glare then gulped some brandy to cover a laugh. He looked at his wife and met her unsettled countenance, but she forced a smile to show him she was well. He smiled too and returned his attention to his cousin.
“Only gentlemen who are married and have a child are entitled to make sport of me, Cousin.”
“I completely agree with you,” the earl intervened. “In this, you are in no way better than Mr Collins, Son. I am only surprised that Mrs Bennet has not mentioned that yet. The opportunity is not lost, though.”
An hour later, when Georgiana completed her performance, the entire party retired for the night.
Elizabeth and Darcy were the last to leave. She took his arm and climbed the stairs in silence, and when the door closed behind them, Darcy dismissed both Molly and Miles.
Elizabeth lay on the bed and covered her face with her hands.
“I do not even know what to say…Mama is so…I know she means well, but I wish she were more careful about what she says. I wonder what Lord and Lady Matlock thought—and Miss de Bourgh. Not to mention the exposure of Georgiana, Kitty, and Mary to such a conversation.”
He moved her hands away and spoiled her face with tender kisses.
“Your mother did us a favour. Can you imagine our embarrassment if we had kept the secret two more days and then made a solemn announcement, only to discover everyone had been aware of it for days?”
Her tears mixed with peals of laughter.
“You have quite a point here,” she struggled to reply while he kissed her neck. “And now I am slowly becoming relieved. At least I can talk to my aunt and my sister about this delicate subject if I want to.”
“Precisely. As I said, your mother did us a favour, you must admit. Not to mention her generosity in preferring me over Mr Collins.”
He continued to kiss her, despite her loud laughter, and gently removed her clothes then his.
Darcy lay beside his wife and wrapped the sheets around them, and she cuddled to his chest.
“But my love, this brings us back to the point where the discussion started. I truly believe you should not ride an hour to visit a place you have already seen and spend even more hours in the heat of a summer day. ”
“William, I am not ill—truly. Do you know how many women who carry a child are working hard in the fields, rain or shine? And with the Lord’s mercy, they are fine.”
“My dear, I feel pity for all the women who suffer, and I am willing to help anytime I can. But this would certainly not inspire me to expose my own wife to danger.”
“I understand your concern, but you cannot keep me inside, alone, for the next months.”
“You are perfectly right. Therefore, I will stay with you. I am sure Bingley and Mr Gardiner will manage to organise the day without me.”
“That is even more ridiculous. Of course you will go. So, you insist I should stay home—even if Dr. Baring did not forbid me to be outdoors.”
“He cannot forbid you anything, my love, but your husband can if necessary. A short walk on the lawn and beside the lake would be acceptable. If you need to go anywhere, I would gladly join you in the phaeton. But these activities will suffice for now. Would you not indulge me, please?”
She sighed; the corners of her lips turned into a smile, and her tone became lighter. “Very well, I cannot but obey the master of Pemberley. I will keep company with your uncle and aunt and with my parents. We cannot allow the Matlocks and my mother to be alone at home anyway.”
“Thank you, my love.” He kissed her hands then her face.
“You are in my debt, sir,” she murmured. “You must find a way to compensate for separating me from the enjoyment of fishing.”
“Please allow me to try to earn your forgiveness, my dear wife,” he whispered. Then he dedicated all his attention to reaching that goal.
∞∞∞
The following morning, the din in the house was just bearable. The preparations—baskets with food and drink, fishing rods—the children’s cries of joy, the voices, the hurry, and finally, the silence following the group’s departure marked the start of a special day at Pemberley.
After breakfast, Mrs Bennet returned to her room and Lady Matlock to hers. Mr Bennet happily resumed his usual place in the library, followed by Lord Matlock.
Once alone, Elizabeth spent a little time talking to Mrs Reynolds then went to her room and slept an hour. Later on, as the house was still silent, Elizabeth headed to the library. Inside, she found only her father.
“Lizzy dearest, come in.”
“Are you alone, Papa?”
“Yes. Lord Matlock has gone to Lambton; I am not certain why.”
“I see. Are you well? Do you need anything?”
“I am exceptionally well. I believe these are among the happiest days of my life.”
“I am glad. I will only search for a book and then allow you to read in peace.”
“You are still displeased that you remained home?”
“No. But I do feel that William exaggerates the danger. I see no point in raising an argument, though. He does everything for my safety.”
“You are as wise as I expected from you, Lizzy. I am glad to see you do not resemble your mother, God bless her soul. Her nerves started to torment her when she was carrying Jane, and it grew harder to bear during the next years. By the time Lydia was born, your mother’s best friends were her smelling salts, and mine were my books.
I confess I was not at all the caring and thoughtful husband that Darcy is. ”
“Papa, I know you have great affection for Mama and for us; do not be so harsh on yourself. However, you are right about William. I am as grateful to him as I love him deeply. I will only confess to you that lately he has been a real challenge to my nerves with his demands.”
Mr Bennet’s eyebrow rose in challenge while the left corner of his lips lowered. Elizabeth watched her father’s expression. Her own words sounded faulty to her, and she started to laugh.
“Oh…now I understand what you mean. I believe my nerves will calm with a little walk in the garden.”
“I believe the same, my dear. Now let me read; I have so many books to finish during my stay at Pemberley that I fear I have not enough time. That means I will have to return very soon or not leave at all.”
“Whatever you choose, Papa,” she said, kissing her father’s cheek.
She decided to take the stroll she planned, but when she reached the main hall, a chorus of voices startled her. A servant entered and bowed to her in trepidation.
“Mrs Darcy! Ma’am, Lady Catherine is here and she demands to talk to someone. I did not understand her very well. With her daughter, I believe. Or with the master.”
Elizabeth needed a moment to recover from the shock of such news. Recollections of her previously horrible confrontation with Lady Catherine made her quiver.
She briefly considered that she should fetch Lady Matlock—after all, Lady Catherine’s daughter was in her care.
Then she breathed deeply, straightened her back and said, “Let Lady Catherine wait a few more minutes then show her to the drawing room.”