Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Afew days later, Colonel Fitzwilliam departed to rejoin his regiment, but not before dispatching letters to several former soldiers, offering them positions as guards for Elizabeth and Georgiana.
On the day of the colonel's departure, all three Darcys made a trip into Lambton.
The outing served a dual purpose. Elizabeth had the opportunity to meet many of the town's residents, quickly winning them over with her warmth and kindness, while also visiting the dressmaker to acquire the necessities she had left behind at Longbourn.
Strolling through Lambton, Darcy pointed out a few shops he frequented, the small church on the edge of town, and the village green where locals gathered. Georgiana remained close to Elizabeth, speaking with pride about the villagers she had known since childhood.
The dressmaker's shop, tucked between the bakery and the general store, was charming, with wide windows displaying various fabrics.
Inside, Mrs. Simmons, the dressmaker, warmly greeted Elizabeth and promptly began measuring her and showing her fabrics suitable for both daywear and evening gowns.
Darcy remained nearby, offering his thoughts sparingly while Georgiana eagerly gave her opinions on the various choices.
Once the fitting was completed—and far more dresses ordered than Elizabeth felt entirely comfortable with—the trio visited a few more shops to procure other small necessities for Elizabeth, including gloves, ribbons, and a bonnet, before stopping for tea at the local inn.
While there, Darcy engaged in easy conversation with the innkeeper and with the villagers who stopped by the greet him.
Elizabeth observed her husband with pride, noting how frequently a pleased smile graced his face whenever he spoke of their recent marriage.
She thought back to when they first met, recalling the uncertainty that had once accompanied the role thrust upon him too soon.
Now, he carried himself with assured confidence, fully embodying the master of Pemberley.
The sight stirred a rush of love—and perhaps something deeper—within her.
Other than their brief trip into the village, the rest of the days passed peacefully at Pemberley.
Elizabeth met with Mrs. Reynolds to discuss ways to improve household efficiency and the well-being of the servants and tenants.
The new mistress took great interest in the daily operations of the house, offering suggestions that were practical and kind, further endearing herself to the servants.
Darcy, meanwhile, took her on leisurely rides around the estate, introducing her to the tenants.
Many recognised her from her visit four years prior and were delighted to see that the warm-hearted young woman was now there permanently.
This tranquillity lasted for just over a week.
Before long, a flurry of letters began arriving from London, most offering congratulations on Darcy's marriage, which had been announced in The Times as per his instructions.
While some expressed surprise at the suddenness of the union, they assumed it was a favourable match.
However, others were less kind. Certain correspondents hinted at less flattering reasons for the hurried wedding, suggesting that an heir for Pemberley might already be on the way.
Elizabeth quickly realised that while her husband had a few close friends who truly knew him and supported his decisions, there were many more who thrived on gossip.
Lacking any concrete facts, these individuals were only too willing to fabricate their own tales, eager to seize upon any scandal or speculation to feed their curiosity.
It was a sobering glimpse into the nature of society, and she found herself more grateful than ever for the genuine love and trust between her and Darcy.
WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1811
On Wednesday, a little over a week after Elizabeth's arrival at Pemberley, she sat in the library, jotting down lists of matters requiring her attention. The peaceful quiet was interrupted when the butler entered, his expression grave.
“Madam," he began, "Lady Catherine de Bourgh has arrived and is demanding to meet with the master.
" His eyes flicked nervously towards Elizabeth, clearly uncomfortable.
“She has also demanded a bed chamber for the night and is insisting that Mr. Darcy's trunks be packed so he may accompany her back to Rosings—where he is, according to her, to marry Miss de Bourgh.
" He paused, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Additionally, she has commanded that any 'interlopers' be removed from the house immediately.”
Elizabeth stared at the butler for a moment, her lips twitching upward as she struggled to contain her amusement.
Her eyebrows rose in disbelief as the absurdity of the demands sank in.
"Is that so?" she said with a wry smile.
"Well, since Mr. Darcy is legally wed to me, I very much doubt he will comply with his aunt's dictates.
I presume I am the 'interloper' to be cast out of Pemberley?
" she added, the amusement now fully evident in her voice.
Before the butler could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room.
"Of course, you are the interloper, Elizabeth Bennet!
" Lady Catherine de Bourgh snapped, storming into the library with regal indignation.
Her eyes blazed with fury as she assessed Elizabeth, clearly irritated by her composed manner.
The older woman's nostrils flared, her jaw clenched tightly, and her posture was stiff with contempt, as if every fibre of her being revolted at the sight before her.
"How dare you drag my nephew down to your level and force him to elope with you?
" she continued, her voice rising with barely restrained rage.
Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, pointing an accusatory finger at Elizabeth.
"I cannot imagine how you managed to ensnare him so swiftly after meeting him again, but he would never have done such a disgraceful thing without your manipulation!
You have made him the laughing stock of all England, tainting our family name with your scandalous behaviour.
" Lady Catherine's face flushed with anger, her words laced with venom, as if each accusation could strike Elizabeth down.
Elizabeth, still seated where she had been before the invader arrived, met the lady's gaze unflinchingly.
Her posture remained relaxed, but her eyes gleamed with a defiant fire, and a hint of humour tugged at the corners of her lips.
"I believe you are the one to have arrived here uninvited, Lady Catherine, making demands you have no right to make.
As I understand the word, that would make you the only interloper in Pemberley at present.
Would you care for me to call some footmen to remove you from the house? " Elizabeth replied.
Lady Catherine's face flushed with anger, her jaw tightening as her fists clenched at her sides, as if preparing for battle. "This is my sister's house, and I am related to Fitzwilliam Darcy by blood! You are nothing to him—a nobody who should never have been permitted to set foot in this estate!"
Elizabeth’s eyes darkened, the humour in her expression vanishing.
“I am bound to Fitzwilliam Darcy by love, as I have been for years, and now by marriage. Our union was solemnised in a church over a week ago, before God and witnesses. As the minister declared, ‘Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.’” Leaning forward slightly, she steadied her voice.
“You cannot ‘sunder’ us now, Lady Catherine. Yet I cannot help but wonder—are you not, at least in part, responsible for keeping us apart all these years?”
Though her hand clenched tightly beneath the table, Elizabeth refused to show her nerves. She would face this woman with all the strength and dignity she could summon, unwilling to let Lady Catherine see her waver.
"I did what was necessary," Lady Catherine declared with a vehemence that made her voice shake.
"My foolish nephew would have married you four years ago when you were but a child.
The years, it seems, have done little to improve your behaviour, for you still have not risen to greet me as you should in the presence of your betters. "
Elizabeth remained seated, her expression hardening further.
When she still made no move to acknowledge Lady Catherine's demand for respect, the older woman huffed angrily and pressed on.
"You will disgrace the Darcy name, as well as that of the Fitzwilliam line, which is inexorably linked to my nephew.
Anne will never marry after being jilted by her cousin, for all of London knows she was to wed him.
Once the news of Georgiana's near-elopement becomes public, no one in either family will dare show their face anywhere in London. "
At the obvious threat, Elizabeth's face paled slightly.
Before she could respond, a furious voice rang out from behind Lady Catherine.
"What do you know of Georgiana's near-elopement, Aunt?
" Darcy demanded, striding further into the room.
His boots were still caked in mud from his hurried ride.
He had remained concealed after entering, waiting to hear what his aunt would say, ensuring the door behind him was shut—something his aunt had failed to do upon her entry.
He was grateful for his caution when he realised how freely she spoke.
Darcy’s face was flushed with anger, his eyes dark with barely controlled fury. "Only Richard and I—and the scoundrel who tried to manipulate a girl barely out of the schoolroom—know of that incident. So I ask you again, how is it that you have come by this information?"