Chapter 29 #2
“Thank you, Mrs Darcy. You are very kind. The admiral’s praise of you was not at all exaggerated.”
“I am sure it was,” Elizabeth said lightly. “But I am still grateful to him, and I look forward to our next meeting.”
To such a warm good-bye, Darcy only added a few polite words and a proper bow.
In their carriage on the way back home, Elizabeth held Darcy’s hands, trying to comfort him.
“Laura is beautiful,” she said. “And she seemed so kind, so amiable, and so accomplished. Her daughter is seven and her son five, I believe?”
“She is beautiful…and well educated, it appears. A father would be proud of her…and so should an honourable brother be. But I am still too grieved to feel anything, although I know it is not her fault.”
“My love, you must not be so severe on yourself. You have done something remarkably difficult by meeting her. Your feelings will change as you heal.”
“She knew of me…but never contacted me. She could have exposed our family to scandal if she wished to.”
“Why would she have done that? She loved her father, and she felt loved and taken care of. She said as much, did she not? She was content with what he gave her, and so was her mother,” Elizabeth said.
“She loved my father and considered him generous. I consider him disloyal, as much as I loved him. The admiral was right — it all depends on the point of view. My heart is still grieving, but I am glad I met her…and I intend to see her again. Perhaps one day, I shall allow Georgiana to meet her too.”
Holding his wife’s hand, he kissed it and confessed in a voice saddened by sorrow, “I cannot imagine the pain of a man having to leave the woman he loves with all his heart. I cannot imagine the pain of ever having to leave you, Elizabeth.”
“You will not have to, I promise you, my beloved. But I would never accept sharing your love with anyone,” she whispered.
“You will not have to, I promise you.” He repeated her words, and he claimed her lips for a sweet kiss to seal their vow, a kiss which soon turned from gentle to passionate — as always happened.
∞∞∞
In the following two months, Mr Darcy and his wife remained in London, and they were seen more and more in society. They seemed to enjoy the theatre, the opera, and — strangely — long walks in Hyde Park.
They were often in the company of Miss Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam, sometimes the admiral, and occasionally the Matlocks.
Mrs Darcy was the object of the public’s interest, and many were ready to criticise her and find fault in her every gesture, as well as in her figure, which was declared not as perfect as Mrs Darcy’s should have been.
Of all this, neither Mr or Mrs Darcy cared much, as they were always seen in good spirits, arm in arm, and the gentleman who was once considered proud, arrogant, and always proper in manners, was seen holding his wife’s hand and even kissing it.
In January, the Gardiners returned to London, and regular visits were exchanged between them and the Darcys, which strengthened their friendship. Darcy came to value them as much as Elizabeth, and they became his family as much as hers.
Elizabeth and Darcy also visited the admiral, seeing Laura again and even meeting her children. Unlike his wife, Darcy was still far from comfortable in Laura’s company, but his efforts did not go unappreciated, as the admiral told him.
At the end of February, Mr and Mrs Darcy returned to Hertfordshire, together with Miss Darcy, to attend the long-awaited marriage of Mr Bingley to Jane Bennet.
Their arrival was the happiest event in Mrs Bennet’s eyes, and it raised the interest of the entire town.
Upon seeing the couple, everybody admitted that Mrs Elizabeth Darcy looked more beautiful than they remembered and Mr Darcy more handsome and less arrogant than they recollected.
Charlotte Lucas, who had married Mr Collins a month prior, was completely forgotten, despite Lady Lucas’s repeated mentions of her daughter’s felicity.
The Darcys stayed at Netherfield, as Longbourn was already crowded with the addition of the Gardiners, but they were all at Longbourn every day, a place that, despite the din and uproar, even Miss Darcy learnt to enjoy.
Elizabeth spent quite some time with her father, removing his worries and doubts in regard to her hasty marriage. She, however, was still concerned about his health and insisted on him following the doctor’s orders.
“Do not bother me with this, Lizzy. Let me just enjoy your presence. Your husband is sending that poor doctor to examine me every other week for no reason. It is good that he is a pleasant man, and I hope he is well paid to waste his time on the roads.”
“He is well paid.” Elizabeth laughed, kissing him. “But please know that nothing is more important to me than to know you are in good health, Papa.”
“Do not worry, child. I have no intention of dying before spending enough time in Darcy’s library.
Besides, your mother would never forgive me if I died and let Mr Collins take Longbourn.
Come, let us talk. Tell me more about your life as such a rich lady.
Do not worry, your husband is in good hands — your mother has long desired to express her adoration to him, and she now has the chance.
You know, when she speaks of Mr Darcy, your mother sounds almost like Mr Collins when he is worshipping Lady Catherine de Bourgh. ”
In such a way, a week passed, and the anticipated wedding took place. Two days later, the Darcys returned to London. They took with them two joyful English setter puppies — both boys — the little souls that Elizabeth had saved and shared with the man with whom she was now sharing everything.
In the middle of May, before the Season started, the most astonishing news broke in London society: the admiral, a man widely known across the country and much admired, made a public announcement that he had a daughter and two grandchildren.
A scandal arose, shaking the Fitzwilliam family, with Lady Matlock barely wanting to see her brother again.
Nobody knew the truth, except for Elizabeth and Darcy, and no connection was made to the late Miss Julia. However, that did not make the admiral’s announcement any easier for the family to bear.
The existence of illegitimate children was a fact of no importance and would not surprise anyone, but the recognition of such a burden, the public exposure of a forbidden relation, and the presence of a daughter of questionable origins and dark skin was something not to be borne, nor to be accepted and forgiven.
The admiral’s daughter was rarely — if ever — seen in public during those trying days. However, a shocking report revealed that the newly wedded Mr and Mrs Darcy — and even Miss Darcy — were regular visitors at the house.
Darcy showed his unrestrained support to the admiral, as he knew it was needed.
He had a long and painful conversation with the Matlocks, assuring them of his and Elizabeth’s utmost respect and consideration but declaring their support for the admiral, to whom they were both deeply and forever grateful.
When the Season began, the gossip about the admiral’s daughter was one of the main subjects of conversation at parties and balls.
The Darcys received many invitations — most of them out of pure curiosity — and they accepted only a few.
They also hosted a dinner party when Mr and Mrs Bingley came to London. At that party were also the Matlocks and the Gardiners. An invitation was sent to the admiral but was declined.
Another dinner took place two weeks later, just before the Darcys’ long-planned journey to Pemberley, in the admiral’s house, with the Darcys and the Bingleys as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam. It was the first time Darcy locked eyes for more than an instant with Laura and engaged her in conversation.
At the end of the Season, the gossip about the admiral’s daughter had already faded — though it still continued in certain circles — as other sensational reports caught society’s curiosity.
At the beginning of June, the Darcys left the bustle of town for the beauty and peace of Pemberley.
The three of them, along with Mrs Annesley, left together, but only a month later, they were joined by Mr and Mrs Bingley, the Gardiners, the Bennets, as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Darcy extended an invitation to the Bingley sisters too, but their brother did not even mention it to them.
The first month spent at Pemberley was pure bliss for both Elizabeth and Darcy. By the time the other guests arrived, Elizabeth had become accustomed to everything and everyone at her new home. The two puppies were now grown up and quite spoilt, taking ownership of the house and grounds.
Among many other responsibilities she had to learn, Elizabeth surrendered to her husband’s plea and learnt to ride — a decision with provided her with more liberty to enjoy all the beauties of which she had become mistress.
The large party stayed at Pemberley for two months, a time as joyful as it was challenging for Elizabeth and Darcy, who struggled to find the intimacy they so desired. As with any challenge, it was eventually resolved, much to their satisfaction.
Elizabeth did not forget the take her aunt for several rides in the phaeton, and Mr Bennet did not hesitate to make the library his favourite room, which he rarely left.