Chapter 6 #2
“Collins gave my family a week to pack our things and leave Longbourn. He supervised the loading of the carts to ensure we did not take anything that belonged to the estate. He is a petty, despicable creature who believes he has the right to treat others with little or no regard. It is difficult to believe he was a clergyman!”
“When this Collins fellow evicted you so abruptly, where did you go?”
“My mother’s sister and her husband have a small house in Meryton, and I believe I mentioned they took in my mother and youngest sisters.
There was no room for me, so I went to town to live with my mother’s brother and his wife.
My uncle Gardiner is a successful importer and owns several warehouses.
They are the finest people I know, and I was proud to stay with them. ”
“Could you not have remained in London with your family?”
“That was the original plan. However, not long after my arrival I noticed there was less food at every meal. Several of the maids and footmen I had come to know were no longer in the house. I knew not what happened, but it appeared a change had occurred in the family’s financial status.
When I asked my uncle about my observations, he told me the truth.
Shortly after the death of his original partner, the man’s son stole all the company’s money and sailed away. ”
“I see. And that is why you were forced to go into service.” If she had remained with her family, she would not need to work.
“I could not, in good conscience, stay there and strain their income beyond their immediate family. Before their financial problems, my aunt and uncle frequently entertained and attended balls. As I may have already told you, they often took me to the theatre, opera, and museum exhibitions.”
“There are too many unscrupulous men working in all kinds of businesses. Their avarice at the cost of others disgusts me.” And in this instance, a man’s deceit forced a gentleman’s daughter to seek a position.
“Mrs. Reynolds told me you have a younger sister. Do you have any other family than Lady Catherine?”
He noted that she had changed the subject and must have found the last one uncomfortable. “My mother’s older brother, the Earl of Matlock, has two sons. The eldest, Viscount Ashford, is currently residing in Scotland with his wife’s family.”
“And the younger son?”
“Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s army; a better man was never born. We grew up together as boys and have remained as close as brothers since then. He is a brave leader of men and as dependable a friend as you could ever want.”
“His surname and your Christian name are the same. I admit to being a bit confused.”
“My mother was born a Fitzwilliam, and, in their family, the firstborn son takes his mother’s maiden name.”
“I understand. Does the venerable Lady Catherine have any children?”
“One daughter. My aunt has been a widow for many years, and she has not allowed Anne out of her sight since she was a baby.”
“Why?”
“My cousin has always been sickly, and I believe my aunt does not wish to risk losing her only child.”
“That is understandable.” Elizabeth had warmth in her expression. She was certainly a caring person.
* * *
That night, Elizabeth smiled when she sat up in the middle of the night. Such a pleasant dream!
She had been dancing in a beautiful ballroom.
The chandeliers sparkled, and the air was redolent with the scent of the many flower arrangements placed about the room.
The man opposite her returned her smile.
He was a graceful dancer, even though it was not an activity he enjoyed.
They could not take their eyes off each other.
Words were not necessary to communicate the love they shared.
When the set was over, he placed her hand on his arm, and they walked towards the refreshments table.
“May I say, Mrs. Darcy, you are radiant tonight. No other woman here can compare to your beauty.” He came so close to her that her heart began to race as he whispered in her ear, “I am counting the minutes until we can leave, and I can hold you in my arms all night. How I love you, my dearest Elizabeth.”
* * *
The following day
During their walk, Elizabeth asked Mr. Darcy about a topic she could not get out of her head. “Mrs. Reynolds told me you were once betrothed. Will you tell me what happened?”
“My father and Lord Markham signed an agreement when his daughter and I were still children. It was an arranged marriage negotiated by old friends, and I was shocked when I was told about it. Because we were both so young, the contract was kept secret. I met her for the first time shortly before I started at Cambridge. This twelve-year-old child took one glimpse of me and whined to her father that she had no wish to marry me, a country nobody.”
What a terrible thing to say to a sensitive young man! He must have been desperate to leave and never return. “I cannot believe it! Why would she say such an unkind thing?”
“Her friends were all being promised to viscounts and the sons of dukes. She had no use for me, a lowly son of a gentleman. On our way home, my father attempted to assure me that her petulant behaviour would improve as she matured, and I was not to despair.”
“Was that not the case?”
“After that, I did not see her for several years. My father and I attended a ball at Lord Markham’s home, and she generously reserved a set for me.” He scoffed and shook his head. “When it was time for our set, I found her on the terrace in the arms of another man.”
“My goodness! I was not expecting you to say anything like that. What did you do?”
“There was not much I could do without causing a scandal. I led her into the ballroom and made sure our fathers saw us together. As we danced, she was quite clear when she told me she intended to live apart from me as soon as she gave birth to an heir. She was not yet sixteen.”
“How terrible to be forced to marry a young lady who was so unscrupulous.”
“Not long after the fire, Beatrice and her father visited me. At the time, I was in my cups most days and resisted any attempts Mr. Kenton made to keep me clean or dressed properly. When my betrothed saw my face, she turned away in disgust. Despite my inebriation, I could tell she was with child but said nothing until Lord Markham spoke. He told me that under the circumstances, he would release me from the engagement. I signed the papers and they left.”
“What happened to Lady Beatrice and her baby?”
“Her father paid a titled but financially strapped earl to marry her and claim the child as his own.”
“So, the black cloud of the fire had the silver lining of you never having to marry someone like her.”
“She is someone I have happily forgotten.”
“I have become used to your face and never really see your scars. But, then again, you do not bear the sign of the devil.”
They were silent for the remainder of their walk, which allowed Elizabeth time for reflection. Perhaps I should not allow myself to feel as I do, but I am glad he is no longer engaged.
* * *
In an attempt to know him better, one day Elizabeth asked, “When you were in London, did you enjoy the Season?”
“I appreciated the theatre performances and museums, but I hated every minute of the social events I was required to attend. I never had any interest in the goings on of the ton. Because no one knew of my betrothal, every fortune hunting woman and her mother paraded themselves in front of me like horses at Tattersalls. Their efforts had nothing to do with affection; rather, their desire to live as my wife in a world of what they assumed would be naught but excess and extravagance. Those empty-headed belles exuded insincere charm and were only interested in my fortune. They thought themselves clever, but they could speak of nothing but the London weather, the parties they had attended, and the latest fashions. They falsely claimed to be accomplished yet they were incapable of having an intelligent conversation. I do not look forward to being back in that milieu any time soon.”
They frequently conversed on a variety of topics, but then again, she was most certainly not a belle of the ton. She was a housemaid. This would be his impression of her no matter what happened.
* * *
“Will you tell me what your life was like before the fire?” She enquired as they were walking the following morning.
“I have a house in London but prefer to spend as much time as possible in the country. Most mornings, I rode out with Bethel, my steward, to inspect the crops and livestock, look into any of the tenants’ concerns, and occasionally, we went shooting.
Afternoons were spent at my desk going over correspondence and invoices.
Georgiana and I had dinner together, after which she played for me until it was time to retire.
If I was not too fatigued, I spent time playing billiards or reading in the library.
It may not seem exciting to you, but my routine made me feel as though I had accomplished what I was tasked to do as master.
Every day brought new challenges and responsibilities.
” He turned to her and asked, “What was your life like before your father’s death? ”