Chapter 33 Death at Rosings Park #2
Jane spoke for them all. “My lady, we too shall retire early so that we may rest should Mrs. Fitzwilliam require our assistance during the night.”
“That is exceedingly thoughtful of you, Miss Bennet.”
The ladies left the room, and Darcy had risen as if to follow, but his aunt stopped him.
“Nephew, I should like a word with you before I retire for the evening.”
He tore his gaze from Elizabeth and turned back toward his aunt.
“Of course, Aunt Helen.”
The Countess fixed her nephew with a pointed look.
“Fitzwilliam, never tell me you seriously contemplate marriage to this simple country girl. What connections has she? What dowry does she bring? She possesses nothing to recommend her beyond that lovely voice, for even her skill upon the pianoforte falls short.”
She paused before adding, “I concede she is beautiful. Her face and figure are incomparable, and I suppose that must be how she bewitched you.”
Darcy had remained silent throughout her speech, but at this, he answered, “Aunt, you are entirely correct when you say she has bewitched me. I am bewitched, body and soul. I care nothing for the absence of dowry or connections.”
“What are her connections, nephew? Who are her people?”
Mr. Darcy fell silent. After a moment, he said, “I do not know, Aunt. I have not made inquiries.”
“You have not made inquiries? How can this be? Have you no thought for your uncle? What do you suppose your Uncle Henry will say when he hears of this?”
Darcy touched a finger to his cravat.
“So, the truth chokes you, does it? I shall tell you what your uncle will say. He will say no, and he will do all within his power to prevent you from making a fool of yourself.”
Darcy answered in a low voice, “Aunt, I intended to marry Miss Elizabeth tomorrow. I have obtained the marriage license, and yesterday I sent the signed marriage settlement to her father by express.”
“You planned to marry without your uncle’s knowledge or consent?”
“Yes, I did, and I shall marry Elizabeth even if my uncle disapproves. I love her, and I shall not leave Rosings without her.”
His aunt remained standing and attempted to stare him out of countenance, but he met her gaze without yielding.
“Well, my boy, I begin to discern the stubborn Fitzwilliam streak in your character. You must truly love this woman, for I have never known you to stand firm for anything. In general, you indulge all the whims and wishes of your family.”
The Countess pressed her fingers to her temple. “It is disrespectful of me to say so, but it is a mercy Lady Catherine knows nothing of this, or you would have two formidable Fitzwilliam siblings fighting you tooth and nail.”
Darcy remained silent. He had not expected his aunt to relent so quickly. At length, he said, “So you will support my choice?”
“I perceive that I possess little alternative. You appear fully determined to do as you please. All I may do now is attempt to wrap the matter in clean linen.”
Darcy embraced his aunt. “Thank you, Aunt Helen. Richard approves as well, though how could a man so deeply in love himself wish others denied the same fate?”
“Son, I would advise you to return to London and allow a month or six weeks to pass before you marry Miss Elizabeth quietly from her father’s estate.”
“I shall do so, Aunt Helen. I do not wish to wait six months or a year, though I expect my uncle will demand it of me.”
“That is wholly unnecessary for a nephew. You ought to wait at least three months before marrying, but if you do not wish to delay so long, society would not consider it indecorous or unfeeling, particularly if it became known that you were betrothed and the wedding date had already been fixed before the unexpected death forced a postponement.”
Darcy remained silent while he considered his altered plans.
“Miss Jane Bennet also intended to marry Sir Gareth Beaumont this week. It was to have been a double wedding. They will marry tomorrow as planned. I will ask Beaumont to collect Elizabeth from her father’s home and take her to London when they travel to Hertfordshire for their wedding breakfast.”
“Georgiana and I shall also return to London. Indeed, we must, and so must Richard and Anne, for the Customs officers intend to raid this part of the county in an effort to rid us of the Aldington gang. We believe it best to know as little of the matter as possible.”
Darcy grinned boyishly. “I shall not have leave to dance, but I may meet Elizabeth at balls and soirées and continue my courtship.”
“You appear exceedingly well pleased, nephew, a circumstance I never expected to witness, for you have always despised balls and soirées.”
“Yes, my lady, but that was before I met Elizabeth. I am only saddened that I may not dance with her. I long to see her attired in a splendid ball gown and adorned with the Darcy jewels.”
Lady Helen’s eyes brightened. “That is precisely what we shall do, Fitzwilliam. I shall take her to my modiste and dress her like a princess, and you shall adorn her with selected pieces of the Darcy jewels. We shall present her as your betrothed. No one needs to know her humble origins.”
“But what if her origins become known?”
“Fitzwilliam, it will amount to no more than the whispers of gossipmongers against what the highest sticklers observe with their own eyes. No one will know you furnished her wardrobe, for I shall take her to my modiste, who exercises the utmost discretion.”
She patted his arm and smiled knowingly at him. “That is precisely what we shall do and pay no heed to what may be spoken behind your back. When society observes how thoroughly besotted you are, they will understand it was a love match. Much will be forgiven a man who marries for love.”
“Aunt, I shall agree only if we do not circulate tales of a grand dowry, elevated connections, and the like.”
“Very well, my boy. I had no intention of making any such declarations. After I have dressed her and you have adorned her with your splendid jewels, society will draw its own conclusions, and we shall not trouble ourselves to correct them.”
Darcy experienced a measure of discomfort, for he abhorred disguise of every sort.