Chapter 58
The Viscount and Colonel were still in the library trying to understand what had just occurred. Darcy had always been haughty and stern but for him to hit anyone was unheard of. His threat of breaking with Matlock House was disturbing.
“I should not have listened to you, now mother is going to kill me,” the Viscount grumbled.
“But what if she is a fortune hunter? Darcy had been assiduously avoiding well connected ladies of the ton only to be caught by a country girl?” the Colonel replied.
“Darcy can do as he pleases and I do not understand why you are suddenly so concerned. You have been singing her praises from the time you returned from Kent.”
“Well, that is it. I thought she was partial to me in Kent. I even warned her that I could not marry without some consideration to fortune. Now she looks smitten by Darcy. I had some notion of Darcy’s attraction towards her but it is her behaviour that is surprising,” Richard explained.
“Do not tell me that we just made an enemy of Darcy to satisfy your vanity,” the Viscount replied as he threw his arm in the air.
The library door was thrown open and Mrs. Ashcombe entered with a speed that belied her age. She was dragging a reluctant Elizabeth behind her.
“Mrs. Ashcombe, good morning. I had not known that you were in town,” the Viscount greeted.
The lady looked at him and then at the Colonel, then all of a sudden she let go of Elizabeth’s arm and started hitting the two men with her walking stick. The shock of the action ensured that both the gentlemen were hit a few times before they realised what was occurring.
“I… Please, whatever is the matter?” the Colonel brought his hands in front of himself in defence. The Viscount had just jumped behind the nearest sofa and crouched to escape the onslaught. Elizabeth was staring wide-eyed at the spectacle, unable to comprehend what she was witnessing.
“Aunt, please, I think we should let Lady Matlock deal with her sons,” Darcy entered the library with Lady Matlock in tow.
“Darcy, you may dawdle with politeness and correctness but I do not take kindly to my family being insulted,” Mrs. Ashcombe dragged the Viscount from behind the sofa by his ear.
“I am of a mind to call out both these gentlemen. I am sure I can still defend the family honour,” she said to Lady Matlock then turning towards the gentlemen she asked, “Well, what will it be, pistols or swords? Darcy here can be my second.”
“Mrs. Ashcombe, I am sure we can sort this matter out. You will agree that young men can be rather dim-witted,” Lady Matlock glared at her sons.
“Lady Matlock, Elizabeth is family and not merely Darcy’s betrothed.
She is Mrs. Hardwicke’s niece and hence related to the Darcys from the time of Frederick’s marriage.
Any aspersion towards her character will not be tolerated.
Now I will be escorting both Elizabeth and Jane to my brother’s house, you and your family may decide how to proceed. ”
“I am sure there is no cause for that. James and Richard will not be welcome at Matlock house till the Miss Bennets are in residence,” Lady Matlock pleaded.
“Aunt Helen, Mrs. Ashcombe is the oldest member of the Darcy family. Now that she is back in town and staying at her brother’s house, it would be reasonable for Elizabeth to stay with her,” Darcy replied in a cold voice.
He had reacted instinctively on seeing Elizabeth’s countenance and had hit his cousin without understanding the whole matter.
It was only when Mrs. Ashcombe had interrupted their embrace and questioned Elizabeth that he understood all the details.
Richard had always been his most trusted ally and for him to cast aspersion on Elizabeth’s character was unthinkable.
“Darcy, look, I am sorry. You had yourself mentioned your reservation against Miss Bennet for Bingley, I was surprised that you would consider her sister for yourself,” Richard finally spoke.
“I do not remember ever saying that Miss Bennet was a calculated actress, pretending affection, ready to take advantage of Bingley. I mistakenly felt Bingley’s heart was touched much more than hers.”
“You said that the family had neither connection nor fortune,” Richard argued.
“I was misinformed, for the Bennets count the Darcys as family and if you do not wish to test the power of the Darcy connection, I would recommend staying silent.”
The Viscount had realised that he had made a monumental error and addressed Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, I deeply apologise for my words. When my brother came to be with his doubts, I was forced to act by a misplaced sense of loyalty to Darcy. I hope you will forgive me.”
“Sir, I hope you understand that the affection between a couple is their private matter and Mr. Darcy is mature enough to understand his own mind. As for me pretending affections, I hope you do not consider your cousin a gullible fool to be so easily taken in,” Elizabeth replied.
“Elizabeth, I implore you to stay with us till you are in town. Richard, I am sure, has enough responsibilities at the War Office that he would not have time to visit us,” Lady Matlock spoke as she took Elizabeth’s hands.
She would not tolerate a break in the family even if she had to banish her own son for the foreseeable future.
Darcy was dear to her and she had realised how essential Elizabeth was to him.
“Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Ashcombe, I appreciate your support, but it would be churlish of me to leave Matlock House now. Lady Matlock is in no way responsible for her sons’ behaviour and should not be punished for them.”
“Elizabeth, will you promise me that you will send for me directly if you ever feel uncomfortable here,” Darcy took her hands and brought them towards his heart.
Elizabeth assured him that she would immediately send for him if she were ever uncomfortable. Lady Matlock then led the whole group to the music room where Jane was already seated. Her sons, understanding their mother’s wishes, removed themselves from the house.
An awkward silence settled over the music room until tea was served. A maid handed the gossip sheet to Lady Matlock. Jane deliberately asked about the latest gossip, hoping to relax the atmosphere.
“Darcy and Miss Elizabeth are described in detail from yesterday’s theatre appearance.
The writer has expressed an approval for them in the most glowing terms,” Lady Matlock answered with a satisfied smile.
“I think you both should now finalise the wedding date. I know Miss Elizabeth has been longing to return to Longbourn.”
“Bingley and Miss Bennet’s banns have been called at the Meryton Church twice already. They can marry anytime after this Sunday,” Darcy replied as he explained the idea of same-day wedding to Mrs. Ashcombe, who heartily approved the plan.
“The special licence is all arranged but who will be officiating your wedding? Elizabeth, do you trust the parson at the Meryton church to maintain secrecy,” Lady Matlock asked.
“While Mr. Thacher is a respectable man not given to unnecessary gossip, I am not sure if he could be trusted with complete secrecy.”
“We still have time, I could arrange for the parson from Kympton to come to town. Lyndon is young but I trust him implicitly,” Darcy replied and the matter was settled.
It was decided that Darcy would discuss the details with Bingley, but they may get married after two weeks. Darcy’s relatives could stay at Netherfield.
“Elizabeth, I will have to send an express to Mr. Bennet and also Lyndon. Can we visit your mother in a few hours? Once I have dispatched the letters, I think we need to convince Mrs. Bennet to depart for Hertfordshire immediately.” Elizabeth nodded her consent.
“I will take my leave then. Darcy, would you accompany me to the carriage,” Mrs. Ashcombe said as she got up. Darcy dutifully offered her his arm and accompanied her outside.
“Darcy, in all the nonsense with your cousins I could not mention my reason for arrival in town,” Mrs. Ashcombe said as soon as they were out of earshot.
“Harrison made a further nuisance of himself after your departure, importuning Sarah whenever she was out and trying to apologise in order to ingratiate himself.”
“I will write to the housekeeper to get a few extra footmen to accompany Mrs. Hardwicke. This is intolerable,” Darcy responded with evident anger.
“Lord Greystone was embarrassed by his behaviour and decided to remove him from Briarwood. Since he is Lady Greystone’s cousin, his Lordship found him a new position, but Harrison was incensed and came over to Willowmere late at night hurling abuse at the whole family from the front gardens.
He even threw stones at the windows of the family wing. ”
“Is Mrs. Hardwicke safe?”
“Yes, Lord Greystone was also deeply concerned and reported the matter to the local magistrate, but Harrison has disappeared. I immediately convinced her to leave the place for a few months. She accompanied me to town but has travelled to Longbourn.”
“Well at least she will be safe at Longbourn.”
“I thought you should know because Sarah and Mrs. Bennet have always been at odds. I hope it does not create further problems for your wedding.”
“Mrs. Bennet will be as hospitable to Mrs. Hardwicke as possible. I will ensure it,” Darcy replied with a smile.