Chapter 57
The next morning Elizabeth got up rather late and had her breakfast in her chambers and then decided to wait for Darcy in the library. She had sat down with a volume of poetry when the Viscount and the Colonel entered the room and greeted her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I have been meaning to talk to you,” the Viscount took a seat opposite her. The Colonel sat next to him with visible discomfort.
“By all means, your lordship,” Elizabeth closed her book.
“This scandal that Darcy created has been quite convenient for you.”
“I beg your pardon,” Elizabeth asked, her voice gaining a sharp edge.
“We all know that you are the one making a spectacular match. The family would never have approved, but now with the scandal they are all ready to bend over backwards to make you Mrs. Darcy.”
“Who do you mean by family, sir? Because your aunt, Lady Catherine, still does not approve and has denigrated my image to anyone who would listen. The Darcys, to their credit, care more about Mr. Darcy than their family name. Mrs. Ashcombe has been trying to push us together for months now; not that it matters. The only opinion that matters is that of Mr. Darcy, if he approves of me, then it does not matter a whit who disapproves,” Elizabeth fumed.
“All I am saying is that you do not possess any fortune or meaningful connection, yet you seem to have Darcy worshipping at your feet,”
“James, I think that is quite enough,” the Colonel interrupted.
“Richard, you were the one who questioned the sincerity of Miss Bennet’s feelings,” the Viscount commented.
“Excuse me? I thought you said that we were nauseating in our happiness,” Elizabeth turned towards the Colonel.
“Well, yes, and Darcy is, but I saw you both together at Kent and you had a deep-seated dislike for him and then all of a sudden you are engaged,” the Colonel stammered under Elizabeth’s glare.
“Was it not you, Colonel who invited my sister to your mother’s dinner party before any attachment between Mr. Darcy and myself occurred. A dinner party where my sister was thoroughly interrogated about me.”
“I was surprised to see your sister with Bingley and realised my error in mentioning Darcy’s part in separating them to you. I had no idea at the time that the lady he had separated from Bingley was Miss Bennet. I mentioned my faux pas to my mother and she commanded me to invite her.”
“I highly recommend that you and the Viscount speak to your own family before making assumptions and casting allegations.”
“My parents have always been concerned about their image in society and the scandal has ensured their support for you. We on the other hand are concerned about Darcy,” the Colonel said.
“Let me speak plainly, you may speak of your concerns to anyone who will listen and to those whom you have some influence over. I am definitely not one of them. I do not intend to provide any defence for my actions and behaviours nor justify my feelings,” Elizabeth said in a dangerously calm voice as she walked out of the library and straight into Darcy.
“Elizabeth, whatever is the matter?”
“I am leaving for Gracechurch Street as soon as I can locate Jane. Please let Lady Matlock know that my maid will pack up my things and leave by this evening.”
“But, whatever happened? Did someone offend you?”
“Why do you not ask your well-meaning cousins? If, after that, you are still interested in marrying me, you may call at my uncle’s house,” Elizabeth replied with uncontrolled anger as she walked away.
Darcy entered the library and saw his cousins whispering to each other, standing near the window. He walked up to them with measured steps and quietly asked, “What has occurred?”
“So the lady ran to you with tales,” the Viscount said.
Darcy merely looked at his cousins. Then, before either man could react, he punched the Viscount.
“Whatever was that for?” the Viscount rubbed his face.
“Look, Darcy, Miss Elizabeth is overreacting, we were just looking out for you,” the Colonel blustered.
“I have no idea what both of you fools have done but if it costs me Elizabeth’s good opinion I will cut all ties with Matlock House,” Darcy seethed.
“Now, look here, Darcy, we are family. You cannot break family ties for just a lady,” Richard replied.
“That lady is the future Mrs. Darcy and if I have to break from each and every family member to ensure her happiness, I would do that in a heartbeat,” Darcy walked out of the library just as Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet came down with a valise.
“Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, how do you plan to travel to Gracechurch street?”
“We were hoping to take a hackney,” Miss Bennet replied.
“I came in my carriage, let me accompany you to your uncle’s home,” Darcy offered, then turning towards Elizabeth, he continued, “Miss Elizabeth, we had planned to finalise the wedding details today, maybe we can do that at the Gardiner’s residence and also speak to your mother.”
Elizabeth finally looked at Darcy and her anger slowly melted away, “I would really like that,” she said, as she took Darcy’s offered hand.
Jane, sensing that the couple needed a few minutes of privacy, discreetly walked into the music room.
“Elizabeth, I hope you know that you are the most important person in my life,” Darcy whispered as he pulled her in a gentle embrace.
“Fitzwilliam, whatever is the matter with you? Could you not just marry the girl and be done with it,” Mrs. Ashcombe’s voice came from the front door as the startled couple broke apart.