Chapter 8 #2
“He was to be hanged, but Lord Matlock arranged for him to be sentenced to transportation.”
“Every year, I became more and more uneasy when he came back here during your breaks from Cambridge. He ruined several of our young maids and who knows how many others. I am relieved to learn he can never hurt you or Miss Georgiana again.”
“George Wickham will never again bring harm to anyone I love.” Darcy had waited a long time to utter those words.
* * *
“May I speak with you for a moment, Miss Bennet?” Mrs. Reynolds approached her several days after Elizabeth had moved out of the cottage.
She had been reading in the drawing room. “Of course, but pray, continue to call me Elizabeth.”
“Madam, Mr. Darcy told me of your engagement, and I must say the news did not surprize me, and that I am delighted for you both. As the future mistress of Pemberley, I must address you as Miss Bennet until you become Mrs. Darcy.” Elizabeth smiled and nodded.
“Please forgive me if I am overstepping, but I wished to speak to you about your clothes.”
“My clothes?” Oh, my clothes! Suddenly being made aware of her simple wardrobe weighed heavily on Elizabeth’s mind. Could she ever fit into Mr. Darcy’s world?
“You can imagine how magnificent the manor house once was, and I hope will be again. As Mrs. Darcy, you will be expected to dress in a manner appropriate for a woman in your position.”
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but it is too far to travel to town for my wedding clothes. What do you suggest?” She must do everything she could to dress the part of Mrs. Darcy.
“There is a very fine seamstress in Lambton, and if she cannot provide what you need, Matlock is not far, and there is an excellent dressmaker there as well. When you and Mr. Darcy are in London, you can visit the dressmakers Lady Matlock and Miss Georgiana frequent and add to your wardrobe then.”
“That sounds like a perfect solution. Every morning, a carriage comes to the inn to bring me here. When it is convenient, perhaps you could ride in the carriage to Lambton, and we can shop together.”
“Are you amenable to beginning our task tomorrow?”
“I am indeed. If you could inform Mr. Darcy of our plans, I shall see you in the morning. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, ma’am.” If Mrs. Reynolds had not said anything, Elizabeth would still be wearing the same five plain lilac gowns she brought with her from London, and that would not do.
“It is my pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
As Elizabeth walked away, she blew out a sigh of relief. This was important. She must do everything she could to prevent anyone from learning about the months she spent at the cottage as a maid. The truth would only serve to humiliate the man she loved.
* * *
May 1812
Lambton
“Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds. How may I help you today?”
“Mrs. Harmon, allow me to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Bennet is betrothed to Mr. Darcy and is in need of new clothes.”
“It is lovely to meet you, Miss Bennet. I wish you and Mr. Darcy my heartiest congratulations. Shall we get started?”
As the future bride, Elizabeth selected several fabrics and gown designs as well as trim material and was fitted by the dressmaker. Mrs. Reynolds asked, “Do you have any other silks? Miss Bennet needs new dinner and evening gowns and a special gown for her wedding.”
How lacking her wardrobe was! How could she not have given any thought to her clothes? What must Mr. Darcy think of her?
“My sister is the dressmaker in Matlock. We place all the fabric orders for our shops together; it provides us with a reason to see each other more frequently. She will be here in two days to bring my portion of the order. I am certain you will find the fabrics you desire then.”
“I am staying at the inn. If you can begin working on the gowns we selected today, we can return in a few days to choose more fabrics. I thank you, madam, and look forward to seeing you again soon.”
“It is my pleasure, Miss Bennet. I have made many gowns for the residents of Pemberley. In fact, I believe I made Miss Georgiana’s first dinner gown. I shall deliver everything to the inn as soon as they are ready.”
When they left the dressmaker’s shop, the housekeeper pointed out several more shops they would visit.
“Let us move on to the milliner’s for bonnets and gloves and the cordwainer to fit you for slippers and boots.
You will also need new warm clothing and outer garments for the winter, but there is no rush for them yet. ”
“Thank you. Your help has been invaluable to me, and I am certain that will continue when I assume my responsibilities as Mrs. Darcy.” The shopping trip had opened her eyes to concerns necessary to the mistress’s role that she had never considered before.
So many unknown tasks existed, never mind the ones Mama had taught her to do on a much smaller scale.
She loved Mr. Darcy but would she ever be able to meet the demands required of his wife?
* * *
Pembrook Cottage
Several days had passed since Darcy wrote to thank Richard for Wickham’s capture.
That had been easy. The more difficult letter had been delayed—what would be the response of his family to his news of his situation with Elizabeth?
He could no longer put off the inevitable and wrote to Richard and his parents as well as Georgiana about his engagement.
He described Elizabeth as he had in his first letter to his sister: a lovely gentleman’s daughter whose late father had an estate in Hertfordshire.
He told them they met while she was visiting her cousin in Lambton.
The first response he received was from his sister, whose enthusiastic reply made Darcy beam. In his letter to his cousin, he had asked Richard to stand up with him.
London, 14 May
Darcy,
Congratulations! Little Boney himself could not keep me from attending your wedding.
I am temporarily stationed away from London training my regiment for their next overseas deployment.
If I do not have the opportunity to collect the stolen jewels before your marriage, I shall bring them to you as soon as I am able.
I am so proud of everything you have overcome.
You have always been a brother to me, and it will be an honour to stand beside you to celebrate the end of your loneliness.
It is a privilege to bear witness to the next stage of your life.
I look forward to meeting the remarkable woman who has finally touched your heart.
R.F.
* * *
Darcy had not written to his aunt, Lady Catherine.
Many years earlier, she had somehow learnt of his betrothal to Lady Beatrice and was furious with her brother-in-law for his agreement with Lord Markham.
She had wanted Darcy to marry her own daughter, and she had made it clear that she would never accept that particular marriage agreement.
He was in no mood to subject himself to her histrionics and persistent demands he wed his cousin Anne.
The reply from Lord Matlock was not as supportive as Darcy would have hoped.
Oakmont Hall, 15 May
Fitzwilliam,
I would like to congratulate you, but I must withhold such felicitations.
Your aunt and I have never met nor heard of this young woman, nor have you ever mentioned her name to us.
As the son of my beloved sister, I must implore you to think again about binding yourself to someone so far beneath you.
She is not of our social circle and will never fit into the ton.
A gentleman’s daughter she may be, but who is her family, what are their connexions?
What sort of dowry does she bring? Marriage is not a matter to be taken lightly, and if circumstances mandate this wedding take place, there are several ways to deal with that situation other than marrying the woman.
I look forward to hearing you have changed your mind about this misalliance.
H. Fitzwilliam
A heavy exhale was all he could manage after reading such a missive.
Darcy was disappointed but not totally surprized by his uncle’s letter.
To suggest that he had behaved inappropriately and was marrying Elizabeth to give a child a name was repulsive.
For shame to his uncle for the suggestion that Darcy would be so irresponsible!
It was difficult but necessary to ignore his uncle’s harsh judgement and rejection of his decision—opinions all formed without ever having met his intended.
Otherwise, he would feel worse—and he already was holding back on his ire.
He could not allow himself to be swayed by negative responses from his family and friends.
Although uncertain in regard to his own sentiments, he was betrothed to Elizabeth and, as an honourable man, would not break his promise to her.
Pemberley, 18 May
Lord Matlock,
I regret you believe that marrying the woman I have chosen is a disappointment to you.
As you are well aware, I hated every minute I spent in London’s ballrooms being paraded before every eligible so-called beauty of the Season.
I will not be treated like a prize bull auctioned off to the belle with the largest dowry!
I have found a woman with whom I have much in common: she loves the outdoors, reads vociferously, and delights me when she sings and plays the pianoforte.
Despite your unseemly suggestion to the contrary, nothing inappropriate has ever transpired between us.
I will marry Elizabeth Bennet in the Pemberley Chapel on 29 June, and I sincerely hope you and my aunt will be in attendance.
F. Darcy
* * *
Try as he might, Darcy could not quite open his heart to his betrothed.
Usually as a point of pride he would overcome problems such as this.
But he could not. In truth, he was sabotaging any admiration that could take place: he made himself unavailable during her visits and thus spent less and less time with her.