Chapter 5
Chapter Five
At the Matlock home, Lady Matlock escorted Elizabeth to an opulent bedroom. Despite the late hour, the lady followed Elizabeth into the room to engage Elizabeth in conversation about her nephew.
“Miss Bennet, I realise you have not yet accepted my nephew, but judging from the looks that pass between you, it will not be long. Tell me, however, what is it that attracts you to Darcy?” Lady Matlock asked in that direct manner she had.
“I did not always like Mr Darcy, in fact, I told you he insulted me before we ever met. However, I have seen how kind and caring he can be despite the fact that it is rarely bestowed. Had he asked for a courtship while we were still in Hertfordshire, I would not have agreed, but in Kent, he began to allow me to see the man he truly was. We have spoken about many topics, and I can see that he respects me and my opinions and seems to like me despite my faults. I think I can honestly say the same about him; I like him despite his faults,” Elizabeth answered just as directly.
Lady Matlock nodded her acceptance of these words and continued to speak with Elizabeth a little longer.
When Elizabeth could no longer hide her yawns, Lady Matlock wished her a good night before heading to her rooms. Looking around while she waited for the maid to attend to her, she noticed that this house appeared to be decorated very nicely, although she much preferred the understated elegance of Darcy House.
When the maid arrived, she assisted Elizabeth with her hair and clothing, and Elizabeth requested to be awoken by seven in the morning to bathe and dress in time for Mr Darcy’s arrival.
Elizabeth reflected on the events of the last few days as she sat down to write the letter to her father.
She needed to explain how her opinion of Mr Darcy changed so completely in a matter of days.
This was made more difficult as she did not know what Mr Darcy would include in his letter.
After some reflection, she explained her changed opinion of her suitor, their conversations at Rosings, and his apology for his slight at the assembly.
She did not mention the reasons for her early return to London but let him know she was currently staying with Mr Darcy’s other aunt, the Countess of Matlock, who wished Elizabeth to remain with her in London while she and Mr Darcy courted.
Elizabeth left the letter open on the writing desk until she could speak further with Mr Darcy. She blew out the candles by her bed and fell quickly asleep, dreaming of William.
William also wrote a letter to Elizabeth’s father that night, apologising for his poor behaviour at Netherfield in the autumn.
He struggled with confessing his love for the man’s daughter while maintaining his dignity.
Finally, he decided to explain his feelings and desire for a courtship leading to marriage with Elizabeth.
He hesitated to share his aunt’s actions in Hunsford and left his letter unsealed so he could discuss it with Elizabeth in the morning.
He was worried he might reveal too much or that Elizabeth might reveal a different story, and he wanted to consult with her to ensure their thoughts were being similarly expressed.
Darcy would have been surprised to learn that Elizabeth’s thoughts were identical. His letter complete, he requested his valet wake him early so they could be at Matlock House by eight the following morning. Soon, he was asleep and dreaming of Elizabeth.
The next morning, William hurried Georgiana to ensure they arrived at Matlock House early enough to speak with Elizabeth before breakfast. At ten minutes past eight, the surprised butler, who had not been warned of their early arrival, led them to the breakfast room, where they found only Elizabeth.
She blushed when she saw Mr Darcy and quietly greeted the siblings.
William and Georgiana quickly filled their plates and sat at the table on either side of Elizabeth. They spoke quietly for several minutes before William broached the topic of his letter to Mr Bennet.
“Elizabeth,” he said softly, “I need to speak to you before I finish my letter to your father. It was easy enough to make my request, but I was uncertain of what to say regarding your being at my aunt’s house in London and not at Hunsford.
I cannot imagine what he will think about you being so abruptly removed from the parsonage or how he will respond to the steps I took to protect you.
There is still the danger that my doing so might have compromised your reputation, especially if Collins or Lady Catherine have said something. ”
She smiled. “I also struggled with that part of my letter and wanted to speak to you before it was sent. Would you read my letter and see if it matches yours? I do not believe we need to tell the whole story in a letter at this moment. I asked Charlotte to try and prevent her husband from sending a letter to anyone in Hertfordshire.”
He nodded, and she handed him her unsealed letter. He read it slowly, raising his eyebrows as he read about her changing feelings. Before he handed it back, he took her hand and placed a lingering kiss on her fingers. “Elizabeth,” he breathed, forgetting they were not alone in the room.
Georgiana cleared her throat beside them, but William was most surprised by the clap across William’s back from his uncle. “Well, William, I gather congratulations are in order?” he asked.
“Uncle,” he said as he quickly stood. “This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, the young lady I am courting. Miss Bennet, I would like to introduce you to my uncle, the Earl of Matlock, Lord Henry Fitzwilliam.”
She stood when he did and curtsied to acknowledge the introduction. “Good morning, my Lord. I am pleased to meet you.”
“I am pleased William is courting such a beautiful young lady and, according to Richard and my wife, one who is ideally suited to him. I have heard only good things about you since my son returned from Rosings, and you should know that Catherine’s disapproval makes you that much more ideal to me,” the earl said before a flash of anger passed his face.
“I apologise to you on behalf of my family for my sister’s treatment of you.
I will be addressing her behaviour and her ridiculous claim of an arrangement while they were in their cradles between Anne and William with her very soon.
We have told her it will never happen many times, but she seems to believe that if she says it often and loudly enough, William will eventually capitulate. ”
Elizabeth smiled at that. “I do not hold you or anyone in your family, other than Lady Catherine, responsible for her actions. I appreciate and accept your apology on her behalf, however.”
“Still, I feel ashamed that my sister has behaved so poorly as to force her parson to turn a gentlewoman out of his home without concern about where and how she should go. Had my nephew not taken steps to protect you just in case, you would have been ruined in society and potentially injured or worse. What she did could have had much more significant and lasting impacts than it did,” the earl said, his face growing angrier as he spoke.
“William, I am tempted to leave for Rosings to speak with her immediately.
“Uncle, I have been considering cutting all connection to her, given her reprehensible treatment of Miss Bennet. If Mrs Collins was not Miss Bennet’s dear friend, I would write my great-uncle, the bishop, about Mr Collins’ actions to see what can be done about him.
Elizabeth, you were quite right in describing the man as a toad,” Darcy replied, colouring lightly as he realised he called Elizabeth by her Christian name in front of his relations.
However, she did not seem to react or notice.
Elizabeth looked between the two of them. “What could your great uncle do to Mr Collins for his behaviour?” she asked.
Darcy drew in a deep breath before he explained.
“He could do anything from censuring him to defrocking him and removing him from his position. I have spent considerable time since Georgiana received your note announcing your arrival thinking over the options. However, I would hate it if any action I took resulted in hurting your friend. I imagine she has enough to contend with just being married to that … man.”
“Thank you, William,” she said softly, not considering how she addressed him in company and pleased at his anger on her behalf. The earl grinned at the interaction between the couple and stepped away as they stood there, locked in each other’s eyes.
Richard’s loud entry shook them out of their contemplation of each other. Darcy helped Elizabeth back into her seat as they finished their meals, both blushing.
As he and Elizabeth finished eating, William recalled they intended to discuss their letters to Mr Bennet before his uncle’s arrival and asked him for the use of his study to speak to Elizabeth privately.
At his uncle’s nod and with Elizabeth’s agreement, he helped her stand, escorted her to the study, and then handed her the letter to read.
“We had similar thoughts about what to say regarding your being in London,” he said when she looked up after reading his letter.
Noticing tears in her eyes, he stopped, wondering what he said to cause her distress.
“What is it, Elizabeth?” he asked gently, retrieving his handkerchief from his pocket and pressing it into her hand.
“I … I love you too, William. Reading what you wrote to my father made me realise it, I think. You truly are the best of men,” she said as a tear made its way down her cheek.
He stepped to her and brushed it away with the handkerchief he took back from her, then gently lowered his head and kissed the cheek where it had been.