Chapter 26
Pemberley
Dearest Jane,
I am writing from Pemberley in Derbyshire, and I have remarkable news.
I am married to Mr. Darcy! When I left home many weeks ago, Mr. Darcy and I happened to meet one another in London, and thank God that we did!
I spent many weeks with Mr. Darcy’s great-aunt at her house on Half Moon Street as her guest, and then we all journeyed to Pemberley.
Mr. Darcy and I fell in love over these past months and were married last week.
I know you must have many questions, but I hope to see you in person to explain everything in detail. Fitzwilliam and I would be pleased if you and Mr. Bingley came to visit here soon.
Father is here and will be for a few more days before he returns to Longbourn.
I think it would be best if you did not share my location with my mother and sisters until Father has given you leave.
One of the great disappointments of these last months is that I missed your wedding, and you missed mine. I hope you are as happy with your Charles as I am with my Fitzwilliam.
With love,
Elizabeth
***
Pemberley
20th February 1812
Dear Matlock,
I am sending this letter by express so that it arrives before Lady Catherine.
She may well call on you in London in a few days to complain about my marriage. Yes, I am married to the former Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of Mr. Bennet, who is master of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. He is but a country squire, but he is a gentleman, and his family is landed.
I adore Elizabeth and am confident that she is the best wife I could ever hope to find.
We were married in Scotland, though will also be having a formal church ceremony in two days.
I assure you that nothing can be done to dissuade me from my choice, and I can only hope that you will be able to convince Lady Catherine to keep quiet about the marriage, which is, without a doubt, of a slightly scandalous nature. We had our reasons, but I do not choose to explain myself.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
Pemberley
20th February 1812
Dear Bingley,
I married the former Elizabeth Bennet last week.
I know that must come as a shock, but Elizabeth and I could not be happier.
The circumstances surrounding our courtship and marriage are complex, but in the end, we are happily wed, and that is what actually matters.
Elizabeth wrote to Jane today, and I daresay your wife will provide a few more details about what brought about this unforeseen, but truly glorious, situation.
My wife and I hope that you and Jane will visit us as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
Pemberley
20th February 1812
Richard,
I am married to a lady I met in Hertfordshire last autumn. Her name is Elizabeth, and she is my perfect match. I am so very happy.
Lady Catherine does not share my joy, and within a day or two, I expect that she will descend on Lord Matlock to complain vociferously about my decision. I pity my uncle a little, but not enough to regret marrying Elizabeth. Never that.
I do not know what your situation is at the moment, but you are certainly welcome to visit Pemberley whenever you like and meet my lovely bride.
I do have another issue to discuss, a far less cheerful one.
Last autumn, Wickham took a position as lieutenant in a militia regiment in Meryton, which is the town closest to my bride’s family home of Longbourn.
He deserted some weeks ago with the purpose of causing me trouble and, after successfully extracting money from Lady Catherine, disappeared.
I suspect he is in London and perhaps even staying with his old paramour, Mrs. Younge.
I am not happy to have him in the wind, and if you have the time, I would be very pleased if you would be willing to hunt him down.
We have plenty of debt receipts to throw him into Marshalsea, after all.
God’s blessings,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
***
Matlock House
London
26th February 1812
Dear Nephew,
I cannot bring myself to rejoice in your marriage. Firstly, the lady in question, while the daughter of a gentleman, is hardly high enough in society to truly be worthy of the Darcy name. However, what is done is done, and I hope and pray that your marriage will be a successful one.
More importantly, you brought Lady Catherine down on my head, and I confess that it will take weeks, or perhaps even months for me to forgive you for that. She was breathing fire like a dragon when she stalked into our drawing room, and I can only thank God above that we had no guests that night!
Lady Matlock and I managed to calm her down and speak sense to her. For better or for worse, you are married, and I know you too well to imagine that you would be willing to attempt an annulment.
Moreover, given Anne’s inferior health, I have no doubt that your country wife will prove a better mistress of Pemberley than she ever could, poor girl.
Based on your aunt’s vituperative outpouring, I suspect Mrs. Darcy will indeed be a fine wife.
It sounds like your lady is very clever and lively, which will benefit you exceedingly.
You have had a heavy load on your shoulders for a long time, Nephew, and the presence of a sunny wife in your home will doubtless be a great blessing.
I suppose I am actually rejoicing in your marriage. Certainly Lady Matlock and I will do our best to scotch any rumors on the subject.
God’s blessings,
Eric, Earl of Matlock
***
Netherfield
27th February 1812
Dear Lizzy,
I am well known for my serenity and calm, dear sister, but I confess that when I received your letter, I nearly fainted!
Oh my dear sister, I cannot express with words how very happy I am! Not only are you safe and well, but you are married to a truly wonderful man!
Oh Lizzy!
Father arrived home yesterday. Charles and I happened to be at Longbourn for dinner, and when he announced to Mamma and our younger sisters that you are married to Mr. Darcy, Mamma was actually silent for nearly a minute before screaming with joy.
Lydia was inclined to grumble a trifle because she still thinks fondly of Mr. Wickham, but the rest of the family pointed out in exquisite detail that the latter deserted his militia regiment, left behind more than a hundred pounds in debt, and is a well-known liar. That quieted her.
Father shared the entire situation with Charles and me, and we will do our best to mitigate any rumors. Our story is that you left Longbourn to spend time with Mrs. Gregson, Darcy’s great-aunt, and Mr. Darcy fell in love with you while you were staying in London with the lady.
We would very much like to visit you at Pemberley, and soon, my dear sister.
I am so happy for you!
With much love,
Your Jane
***
Netherfield Hall
28th February 1812
Dear Caroline,
Many thanks for your recent letter. No, I have never been to Vauxhall Gardens, nor have I visited the Opera House.
You are quite right in saying that I have limited experience with the wonders of London, but Charles and I will likely rent a house in the Metropolis at some point, the better to enjoy the delights of Town.
We do have some rather marvelous news; my sister Elizabeth was recently married to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley! She was staying with his great-aunt Gregson in London, who assisted in her courtship with Mr. Darcy. They are very happy together, and I know you will rejoice with us.
Well, we are intending to visit my sister and her new husband in the next month, and I need to make plans for that journey, so I will bid you goodbye.
Sincerely,
Jane Bennet
***
Sitting Room
Hurst House
2nd March 1812
Louisa Hurst carefully set her ginger biscuit on its saucer and looked out the window with a sigh.
The familiar surroundings of the drawing room, decorated to exactly her taste, were soothing to her mind, if not her stomach.
She had heard of the unsettled nausea that came with being in the family way, and a few weeks previously, had greeted the realization of her long-awaited and hoped-for pregnancy with unalloyed joy.
She would endure the illness for the chance to hold their child in her arms, but she could not enjoy it.
At least their cook had turned her considerable talents to the blending of ginger tea and the baking of ginger biscuits.
Louisa was not inordinately fond of the flavor, but little food agreed with her currently, and ginger was soothing enough to her upset stomach that she would consume it gladly.
She drained her cup down to the dregs and set it aside.
Another aspect of being with child that she had greatly underestimated was the fatigue that plagued her incessantly.
Even the simplest tasks cost far more energy than they usually did, and she was ready at any given moment to take a nap, or at least when her illness did not prevent her.
Nothing urgent claimed her attention, and the couch on which she now sat really was incredibly comfortable.
It was the work of but moments to collect a well-stuffed cushion and a rug and arrange them across the couch.
She sank down with a grateful sigh, easing herself onto her side.
The house was blessedly quiet, the only sound in the room the crackling of the fire.
Louisa sighed again, giving herself up to somnolence.
A woman's scream of acute distress ripped through the house and jerked Louisa out of a doze.
She sat bolt upright in confused alarm, her pulse hammering.
She had scarcely time to wonder what in the world was going on when the door slammed open and Caroline flew into the room, her face red and wet and contorted with fury and horror and shock. Louisa gaped.
“Caroline!” she cried out with substantial concern. “Whatever is the matter?”
“Oh, Louisa,” Caroline wept. “Oh, Sister, the most dreadful news!”
Louisa’s heart beat faster, her mind racing. “Is it Charles? Has something happened to Charles?”
“No, no, he is well enough, though I will never forgive him because he should have made sure that Mr. Darcy … oh, Louisa, Darcy is married to Elizabeth Bennet! I cannot bear it! I simply cannot bear it!”
***
Rosings
4th March 1812
Dear Darcy,
My mother is stomping around Rosings complaining endlessly about your marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire.
There is never any point in arguing with my mother, so naturally I am staying quiet, but I could not resist sending a letter telling you how very happy I am that you are well married to another!
The truth is that I was never pleased at the thought of our prospective union. You are a good man, but overly quiet for my tastes, besides which my health is too indifferent, at least now anyway, to allow me to successfully carry a child to term, and Pemberley needs an heir.
I do wonder whether I might be able to trespass on your hospitality some time?
I have never wished to stay at Pemberley in the past because it would stoke expectations, but given that you are safely wed, I would very much like to spend a few weeks in Derbyshire, perhaps this summer?
The heat always bothers me more than the cold, and Kent is often overly hot in summer.
I look forward to meeting Mrs. Darcy someday. She must be an extraordinary lady to win your heart and annoy my mother so effortlessly!
With sincere congratulations,
Anne de Bourgh
***
Rosings
5th March 1812
Nephew,
I will never forgive you for marrying that woman. You have broken Anne’s heart. She spends every day crying. I would not be surprised if she falls into a decline and dies, and if she does, her death will be on her head!
Let me be clear, Darcy; you and your bride will never be permitted across my threshold until you apologize for your deranged behavior.
I leave no compliments to you,
Catherine de Bourgh