17. Chapter Seventeen
Gentle readers, it has come to the attention of this author that FD of Derbyshire danced three premiere sets last night at Lady K”s sumptuous Christmas ball with none other than the infamous Lady E. It is rumored the impertinent lady asked him for the sets, setting tongues to wag all over the ballroom. Have no fear, the lady’s reputation remains as pristine as newly fallen snow as I have it on very great authority that wedding bells will be ringing for the couple come the new year.
Heartbroken misses all over London are not only crying over the news of FD’s future nuptial bliss but also moaning about the loss of Viscount A, heir to the earldom of Lord M, who has convinced the serene Lady J to take his name on the very same day as her sister at the very same church. There must be something in the air in Hertfordshire.
While Darcy did not mind that Elizabeth had in a roundabout way proposed to him, he still wished to present her with a ring and make the occasion special. To that end, he intended for the two of them to abscond to the library, whereupon he would get on bended knee and issue his proposal, complete with a ring. A lovely emerald encircled by small diamonds his maternal grandmother had worn as a gift from her husband.
”Darcy, sit down,” Ash finally said in exasperation. ”You have been pacing the floor for the last half hour. Our ladies will arrive when they arrive. Wearing out your mother”s favorite carpet will not bring them any quicker.”
He complied for nearly five minutes before returning to the window, uncaring that both Ashton and Georgiana thought him mad. This time he was rewarded by the sight of a carriage pulling slowly to a stop in front of his townhouse. A surge of disappointment rushed through his body when he realized it was his Uncle Matlock”s carriage and he returned to his chair to await his butler announcing them.
If he had been more aware of his surroundings, he would have caught the sly grin his cousin gave his sister. It was when Burke announced not only Lord and Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam but also Lord and Lady Courtland, Lord Shelton and Lady Sophia Kendrick, Lord Tiverton, Lady Jane, and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton that Ashton outright laughed.
”Angelo”s. Tomorrow at noon,” Darcy said to his now sixth favorite cousin and stood to welcome his guests.
Before he greeted everyone, he walked up to the colonel and enveloped him in a warm hug, shocked more than he would dare admit at how fragile his normally robust cousin had become. Richard was the brother he”d never had and to have him return safe, yet injured, was almost more than his heart could bear.
”I know the Royal Dragoons is in your blood and you hate to leave your men, but I am a selfish man and am glad you have returned home.”
”It is good to be home and it is time for me to hang up my sword and spurs,” Richard said after the two men stepped apart. ”Have you any estates that need a mediocre steward or stablemaster?”
”Richard!” Aunt Lucinda exclaimed as she stepped forward to receive a kiss on the cheek from Darcy. ”You have an estate in Buckinghamshire that your Aunt Miranda left you. Stablemaster, indeed.”
”True, I keep forgetting about that pile of rock and limestone. The only redeeming feature of the house is the secret priest”s hole.”
”And the stables,” Darcy reminded him. ”You have always wished to breed horses, now you can.”
”That was the one thought that kept me sane during my recovery.” Richard straightened his shoulders and half-turned in the direction of Elizabeth. ”I met your lovely lady before arriving here. She is too good for you, you know.”
”I do know, but I will not give her up. She made the mistake of promising herself to me and I will hold her to it for the rest of her life.”
”Did my dour cousin make a joke?” Richard said in a teasing manner. ”Have I entered an alternate universe where white is black and wrong is right?”
”Tease all you want, she makes me excessively happy.”
”Then, I am happy for you. Now, let me greet Georgiana, I cannot believe how much she has grown since I last saw her.”
Richard excused himself and Darcy finally approached Elizabeth and Jane, who stood talking to Ashton and their brother. He unobtrusively touched her elbow, bringing her attention solely to him.
”May I steal you away for a few minutes? There is something I wish to show you in the library.”
”You may,” she replied, her eyes sparkling.
His heart did a traitorous flip and he could not wait until they were alone.
”I have yet to see this magnificent library. Do you mind if I tag along?” Trenton asked, his expression hopeful.
Darcy should have known Elizabeth”s brother would be an avid bibliophile.
”Jane and I will join you. There are some rare editions you will not find anywhere else and I know Darcy has a copy of the Gutenberg Bible somewhere in that room.” Ashton smiled at Darcy, who had narrowed his eyes and glared at his cousin. ”Most likely in the safe, where he keeps all his prized possessions. Among them are precious family jewels. I seem to recall an emerald ring…”
Darcy was not a stupid man. His cousin had set him up, but two could play at that game.
”Yes,” he said agreeably. ”Let us all go to the library.”
Immediately, Ashton, Jane, and Trenton exited the room, followed by Darcy and Elizabeth. The minute the terrible trio had turned the corner to traverse the hall toward the library, Darcy snagged Eizabeth”s hand and hurried toward what used to be his mother”s private parlor. Upon entry into the room, he closed the door and turned the key in the lock.
”You are aware that if we are discovered, we will be hopelessly compromised,” Elizabeth laughed when he spun her around to face him.
”I can have a license by tomorrow afternoon.”
”I have only begun purchasing my trousseau.”
”You will not need many dresses for the first five months of our marriage. I am not letting you out of our chambers,” he said and lifted her hand to his lips. ”Gilding the lily is not required. You are beautiful just as you are.”
”My family will take at least half a day to arrive in time.”
”I shall send an express at first light. They will be here by noon and the minister can be here by three.”
”You are determined for us to marry sooner rather than later.”
”I have wanted to marry you since the assembly in Meryton. You captured my heart when you set your stepfather upon me with his quips and teases about husbandry.”
”Oh, dear. And here I thought I was so clever.”
”Clever enough to light the path of my heart toward you.” While holding her hand, Darcy took the ring from his inner waistcoat pocket and dropped to one knee. ”Elizabeth Rose Hamilton, would you accept this ring as a token of my love and affection?”
”William,” she breathed out with a sigh. ”It is beautiful. Yes, I will accept it.”
He rose gracefully and enveloped her in a tight embrace, kissing her with an intensity that made it seem as though his very existence hinged on this moment. And in many ways, it did. Her presence had forever changed his life, and he couldn”t fathom living without her.
A sharp tap on the door broke the spell that had wound around them.
”My lady,” came the muffled voice of Elizabeth”s faithful servant Matthews through the closed door. ”Mr. Darcy”s guests are becoming concerned about your absence.”
”Thank you, Matthews,” she replied after Darcy set her back onto her feet. ”Please advise my aunt that Mr. Darcy and I shall return in a few minutes.”
”Yes, Ma”am.”
She dared to peek up at him, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue of pink.
”I forgot Matthews is your faithful shadow,” he whispered, feeling like a little boy caught by his parents doing something naughty. Which, he almost had. The tenuous grip he had on the control of his desires had nearly fallen away completely the minute his lips met hers.
”I admit, I did as well. You make me forget a lot of things.”
”As long as you never forget you love me.”
”That, you silly man, will never happen.” She twined their fingers together and pulled him toward the door. ”Come with me. I have a ring to show off and a wedding to plan.”
As they walked back to the drawingroom, Darcy told Elizabeth that he had received a brief note from Bingley, who advised him that he wished to sever their friendship as he and his sister were returning to Scarborough and he felt ill-used by both Darcy and his cousin, the viscount.
”What brought all this about?” she asked.
”I asked if I could purchase the remainder of his lease. Ashton and I plan to stay at Netherfield until the wedding, although I did book some rooms at a local inn for the month, just in case he refused.”
”Poor Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. ”So much potential. I truly hope he finds his happiness in Scarborough.”
”Happiness cannot be purchased, it comes from within yourself.”
”You have become a philosopher, Mr. Darcy.”
They were nearing the drawingroom and could hear the gentle hum of conversation filter out into the hall.
”I am a realist, Elizabeth. I am happy when I am with you. Money cannot purchase a gift like this.”
She wrapped her arm around his and hugged it tight to her side, touching the side of her head to his shoulder.
”There are times when you take my breath away, and that makes me happy.”
”There they are!” Lady Courtland cried out as they entered the room. ”Call off the search, they have found their way back.”
”We were not lost, Aunt Sarah.” Elizabeth crossed the room, holding out her left hand. ”My handsome fiance had a surprise for me, which some dreadful cad attempted to sabotage.”
Ashton shrugged nonchalantly, flashing a smile when Elizabeth gave him a disapproving look.
”I cannot let Darcy have all the fun,” he explained.
”As long as you remember, dear Cousin Edmund, that revenge is best served cold, and I have a very long memory.”
When every member of Elizabeth”s family was seen nodding their heads in agreement, Ashton”s brow furrowed. He turned to Jane.
”Should I be worried?”
”Yes.” Jane gave him a sad look and shook her head slowly. ”Hopefully our children will remember you when you are gone.”
”When I am gone…” With a tilt of his head, Ashton said, ”Jane Hamilton, your humor is delightfully random. I look forward to spending the rest of my life married to you!”
Darcy and Elizabeth did not marry the next day. They stayed with the original plan and departed for Hertfordshire where the planning of the weddings and all the orbiting social functions reached a dizzying crescendo.
”I cannot, Mamma!” Elizabeth exclaimed and sank into the closest chair. ”I have yet to spend a minute with William in the two weeks we have been here since returning from London.”
”But, Lizzy, all your friends wish to congratulate you and Jane and share in your excitement.”
”The reason for my excitement is hiding out at Netherfield Park,” she huffed out in exasperation. ”In one week, our friends and neighbors will gather at Longbourn Chapel and can extend their congratulations there. I am done being carted from one neighbor”s house to the next, and wish to spend a quiet evening with my future husband.” She dared look at her mother. ”Is that so difficult to understand?”
For a brief minute, she thought Mamma would not even look at her and silently chastised herself for losing her temper. She inhaled deeply through her mouth and released that breath through her nose to calm her temper. Their mother had been anticipating this time in their lives since their birth. Who was she to deny her mother this little sliver of happiness?
”I am sorry, Mamma,” Elizabeth began.
”No… you are right. I have been selfish.” Mamma smoothed her skirt and began to play with one of the lace frills that edged her quarter-length sleeves. ”You have already seen the Longs and Gouldings twice, and Lady Lucas comes by every second day. She has been a godsend.”
”You and Lady Lucas have been friends for a very long time.”
”We have. I cannot remember a time when Martha Lucas was not in my life, much like Mr. Bennet.” Mamma finally looked at her directly. ”I have been blessed in my life, Lizzy. Yes, there were hard times and I have never regretted loving and marrying your father, but in looking back, I can see that God placed people in my life for a purpose, just like He has with you and Jane.”
Elizabeth knelt by her mother”s chair and gently clasped Mamma”s hand in her own, pressing the palm against her cheek.
”Although William and his cousin would always have arrived in Meryton with Mr. Bingley, I have no idea how our introductions would have gone if he had not met me earlier in town with Aunt Sarah.” She chuckled softly. ”I believe William might still have insulted me. He does not like public assemblies, nor does he like dancing with strangers. His temper would have been tested to its limits.”
”I believe you and Mr. Darcy would have found each other. There is a chemistry between you, even more so than Jane and Edmund. No, no, do not deny it,” Mamma declared when Elizabeth began to object. ”Where Jane and her beau smile, you and Mr. Darcy laugh.”
”We do.” Elizabeth kissed her mother”s hand and resumed her seat. ”However, do not discount the depth of Jane”s feelings for Edmund. She is like an elegant swan. Calm on the water”s surface while paddling like mad below.”
”She will need that calm in the life she has chosen.”
”Jane will do just fine. In some ways, her beauty is a secret weapon.”
”What do you mean?”
”Upon meeting my sister, strangers are often dazzled by her physical appearance, failing to see what lies beneath the surface. As she engages them in casual conversations, she carefully gathers information about their character. It took her only two weeks to form an accurate opinion of Mr. Bingley - one that found him lacking in certain aspects.”
”I did not think him so bad,” Mamma said and frowned. ”He was such a congenial gentleman.”
”He was a gentleman who thought he could buy a wife, and only a beautiful one would do for him. He cared not what Jane desired, only that he could parade her around like a trophy and bear them beautiful children.”
”She and the viscount will have beautiful children.” Mamma gave Elizabeth a sly look. ”And so will you and Mr. Darcy.”
”Mamma!”
”Do not ”Mamma” me, Miss Lizzy. All of you have the Fitzwilliam genes and are destined to have handsome children. I look forward to watching your families grow.”
”As do I,” Papa said upon entering the room with William right behind. ”I found this gentleman wandering around outside and invited him in. Would you be willing to take him off my hands, Lizzy? For some strange reason, he did not wish to be in my company for longer than two minutes.”
”Teasing man,” Elizabeth said and stood to accept the soft kiss on her cheek from William. ”Dare I ask if you will join me for a walk? I believe Jane is in the stillroom, we can ask her to join us.”
”You might wish to give her a few minutes,” William said in a low voice. ”Ash trotted off in that direction almost as soon as we arrived.”
”We could always take the long route, say twice around the park before we interrupt them.” Elizabeth faced her parents. ”William and I are going to find Jane and the viscount and go for a long walk. If anybody comes during visiting hours, advise them we are unavailable.”
”Well done,” Willliam said once they were outside. ”I thought I was going to have to kidnap you for us to have some time alone.”
”Mamma and I were discussing that very thing before you arrived.” She looped her arm around his and hugged it tight to her side. ”I told her that we are done with the Meryton social rounds and those who wish to share in our joy can do so at our actual wedding.”
”Thank goodness!” William exclaimed. ”Dare I ask if this means you can spare your poor groom a few paltry hours before our wedding?”
”There is one way to grant your wish.”
”I am listening.”
”Well… If a couple of gentlemen cousins happened to arrive at Longbourn early enough to take breakfast with the family and managed to stay within the environs of the house for most of the day, visiting with friends and neighbors who drop in for tea, I can safely guarantee my groom a solid ten hours a day.”
”I shall wait beyond Longbourn”s pale for the cock”s crow.”
”You may have to assist Mrs. Pruitt in making bread if you dare show your face before even the scullery maid is up.”
”For you, I would do that.”
Elizabeth stopped walking and looked up at him, her eyes dancing with untold merriment.
”And I would love to see that!”
Mr. Darcy did not help Mrs. Pruitt make bread when he began appearing at Longbourn earlier than what was deemed polite, but he did bring some preserves and a few haunches of venison he”d had delivered from Pemberley to make up for increasing her workload. Finally, four weeks after Lady Kildair”s ball, Lady Jane Hamilton, escorted by Mr. Bennet, and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton on the arm of her beloved brother walked down the aisle of Longbourn”s chapel toward their respective grooms, Lord Edmund Fitzwilliam, the Viscount Ashton and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
When Mr. Abernathy pronounced each couple man and wife, Mrs. Bennet was heard to say, ”Oh! Mr. Bennet, we are so blessed. Two daughters married. I shall go distracted.”