Chapter 28 #4
Elizabeth smiled brightly. “Yes, I think it is time for us to formalise our engagement. Today I shall speak to my parents about it.” Smiling mischievously, she added, “Now that I am a wealthy heiress, I shall surely have a great many suitors, and, to avoid being constantly pursued, I shall have to transform myself into a serious and pompous lady. Or perhaps I could simply have a brave betrothed to keep them all at bay.”
“Then allow me to offer my services as that knight and protect you, my dear Lady Elizabeth, for I fear it is impossible for one so sweet as you to become serious and pompous. Besides, is not that my responsibility?”
He never minded making fun of himself in front of Elizabeth. He wanted her to know that he bore her no ill will for making him aware of his pride. He wanted her to know that he was learning to be a different and less proud man, one who laughed and smiled far more frequently, the way that she did.
He had come to realise that simply being pleasant made a person far more attractive. And, having won Elizabeth’s love, apparently even worked for a man such as himself!
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth continued talking, teasing one another and delighting in each other's company.
“Then you had best sharpen some of those weapons in your extensive collection, Mr Darcy. For this countess may need rescuing.”
“Those scoundrels dare not cross me. For I will defend you with my life!” Darcy said, intentionally dramatically, pulling him toward her.
“My hero,” swooned Elizabeth with an equal amount of stage-like drama as she embraced him briefly.
Marcus watched Elizabeth as she spoke with Mr Darcy, a trace of concern crossing his face.
“My dear husband, I have no desire to lose our daughter so soon either, but there are some things that cannot be avoided,” Eleanor said affectionately.
“I know, my love. It seems we shall have to purchase an estate in Derbyshire,” Marcus replied with resignation.
“That is an excellent idea, my dear husband.”
“You know, I never tire of hearing you use the title of ‘husband’in reference to me, my dear wife,” said Marcus.
“And I, my dear husband, never tire of hearing you call me your wife.”
“It does not happen all the time, but when a dream does finally become true, it is the most wonderful thing imaginable,” said Marcus. “Do you not agree?” and he hastily added, “Dear wife?”
“I agree perfectly… dear husband,” as she gently squeezed his hand and looked deeply into Marcus’s eyes with a contented smile.
As Lord Rockwell had promised, a fortnight later he hosted a magnificent ball at his residence, sparing no expense, and it soon became the most celebrated event of the season. The following day every newspaper carried the news of Lady Elizabeth, the adopted daughter of Lord and Lady Sinclair.
◆◆◆
A fortnight after the ball at Reginald Sinclair's house, Elizabeth was presented at Court.
Following that great occasion, the Sinclairs travelled to Netherfield accompanied by the Darcys.
Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Mr Darcy devoted themselves to helping the tenants prepare the land for the following season.
Elizabeth tried to persuade Mr Bennet to accept their assistance so that everyone connected with Longbourn would no longer suffer the consequences of their master's laziness.
Mr Bennet would not, however, even consent to receive her.
At the end of spring, Jane and Matthew, accompanied by Mrs Bennet, the Gardiners, Mary, and Kitty, travelled to Spain.
Don Pedro died only a few days after returning to his homeland and was buried with full honours.
James Andrews, Carmen, and her husband and children arrived in Spain at the beginning of the summer, and a few days later Matthew succeeded as the new Marqués de la Pena, while Jane became the new Marquesa.
Dona María Alta Gracia had no choice but to accept everything Matthew did; anything was preferable to seeing a Ruiz become the new Marqués de la Pena.
Matthew and Jane spent three months in Spain, learning everything necessary to fulfil their new responsibilities.
Matthew received invaluable assistance from Rodrigo de la Carrera, Rosita's cousin and his closest childhood friend.
Thanks to Rodrigo's advice, he gained a far better understanding of the agricultural system.
Rodrigo also helped him engage a capable steward and an efficient estate administrator to oversee the estate and their other properties during the months he and Jane would spend in England.
Jane fell in love with Spain—its landscapes as much as its people—and found that she did not dislike the thought that one day it would become her permanent home.
“The climate is so much more pleasant than cold and rainy London, and the people here are so much more warm and open than they are in England,” noted Jane.
“It is lovely, and I believe we are a more passionate people, which can be both good and bad,” replied Matthew.
“I see it as entirely good, mi esposo.” She said, trying the new Spanish phrase she had learned for ‘my husband’. “Especially when we are alone,” Jane added coquettishly.
“Marquesa de la Pena, I am shocked!” said Matthew, “But... I am also pleased.”
The whole family returned to England at the end of the summer, just in time for Elizabeth and Mr Darcy's wedding.
Matthew and Jane accompanied Mrs Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia to Longbourn to visit their father, but he scarcely acknowledged them.
It pained Jane to see her father so alone, yet she could not ignore the fact that he seemed to care for no one but himself.
He had rejected her overtures of forgiveness, and thus he had brought all this misery and loneliness upon himself, and so she was done with feeling too sorry for her father.
He had no one but himself to blame. Mrs Bennet and Kitty had become so accustomed to Mr Bennet's indifference that they scarcely noticed it, while Lydia was pleased to find her father alone and abandoned, for she believed he deserved no better.
Lydia would attend Elizabeth's wedding and spend a few days at Longbourn before returning to boarding school.
“Lizzy, you look beautiful, although you should have listened to me and added more lace to your gown,” said Mrs Bennet, visibly moved to see her daughter looking so elegant as she noted the dress’s high waist, square open neckline, Elizabeth’s bare arms, and her hands in silk gloves.
A bouquet of roses and wildflowers lay on the table nearby.
“I know, Mother, but this dress is designed to be a bit more modern and not quite so old-fashioned as what you wore when you were married.”
“It was not so terribly long ago, you know!” laughed her mother.
“Oh well, modern or not, you do look lovely.” I shall see you shortly, my dear.
Your uncle, Lord Rockwell, is accompanying me to church,” she added excitedly.
Everyone was already at the church waiting, and Mrs Bennet did not wish to arrive late.
“Thank you, Mama,” Elizabeth replied, equally excited. “I am so happy!”
“That is all any mother wants for her daughter, my dear Elizabeth.”
After Mrs Bennet wished Elizabeth further happiness, Eleanor approached her daughter.
“Elizabeth, my beloved daughter, you cannot imagine how happy it makes me to be here with you. Thank you for giving me back the desire to live and to love. I love you, my dear daughter, and I wish you every happiness in your future life.”
“Mrs Bennet says that all any mother wants is for her daughter to be happy,” said Elizabeth.
“She is a wise woman. That is so true. You see, you must have realised by now in life that it is difficult to feel entirely happy when you know that someone you love is unhappy. Well, that is doubly true for a mother. So, when her child is happy, a mother is filled with joy, for she feels she has succeeded in her job and that life is as perfect as it should always be. When you love someone that much, you simply want the best for them, no matter what. So, it is so good to see the best happening to you!” and with that tears spilt down Eleanor’s face.
Eleanor embraced Elizabeth, and she could not stop those tears of joy. Almost a year earlier, she had met her daughter at Netherfield, and from that day onwards her life had changed forever.
“It is time to go, Eleanor,” Lord Rockwell said. He would escort both mothers to the church, as his wife had excused herself from attending by feigning illness. He was grateful that Emma had decided to remain in London. Her presence would certainly have spoiled his happiness.
“Well, my dear daughter, it is time for us to go to the church,” Marcus said to Elizabeth as he kissed and embraced her. “Mr Darcy had better treat you like a princess, or he shall have to answer to me!” said Marcus with a touch of heroism.
Marcus was jesting so that Elizabeth would not realise how sad he was. He had spent the previous three months with his daughter and was not yet ready to part with her.
“Do not worry, Father. Mr Darcy has no intention of angering a brave officer like you. He knows he does not stand the slightest chance against you,” Elizabeth replied, embracing her father.
“Father, I am so glad that it is you walking me down the aisle; Mr Bennet is acting like a fool.”
“Do not concern yourself with that man, Elizabeth. You have done far more for him than he has ever deserved. I am glad to be the one to give you away, even though, if I had my way, I would not let you go… just yet,” he said, bravely holding back any tears.