Chapter 10 #3
“Pray come sit beside me. I wish to show you something I hope you will like.” She opened her reticule and removed a small jar and sponge.
Elizabeth was curious as she observed Lady Matlock uncover the jar and use the sponge to spread a skin-coloured cream on her cheek.
“There must be a looking glass around here somewhere.” Elizabeth found a small hand mirror and gave it to Mr. Darcy’s aunt.
“No, my dear, it is not for me. I want you to look at your face.”
She did as she was asked and as always, looked at her unaffected left cheek first. She slowly turned her head—her birthmark was scarcely noticeable!
Elizabeth gasped. But how. . .? “I always expected to look at it my whole life. Why have I never thought to cover it up? How can I ever thank you, my lady?”
“No need for thanks. When a woman gets to be my age, she must learn all kinds of tricks to help herself look younger.” They all laughed, and they had grown closer in those few minutes. “Since your wedding is but a few days away, how would you like to spend tomorrow shopping in Lambton?”
“I can think of nothing I would enjoy more.”
“Georgiana and I shall meet you at the inn at eleven.”
How could she ever thank Lady Matlock for showing her the face cream? She would do everything she could to endear herself to her new family.
* * *
After the gentlemen drank some brandy, Darcy’s uncle cleared his throat.
“My boy, you know your aunt and I feel only the deepest affection for you and Georgiana. Since your parents left us, we have thought of you as if you were our own children and have responded to your recent news as such. I have many questions about a decision that will affect the rest of your life.” The man took a deep breath.
“Have you lost your mind?” His face became reddened from the exertion of bellowing.
“Uncle, pray, calm down. Remember what the physician said about you getting too excited.”
“Yes, you are correct, but I cannot believe what you are doing is the right thing for you. Markham told me he released you from your marriage agreement last summer and except for what her dowry would have added to your estate, I cannot pretend to be displeased about it. You need to marry a lady who can bring enough money with her to replenish the coffers of Pemberley. I know the cost of rebuilding and the loss of income from rents and the sale of crops have decreased your holdings considerably. Darcy, you have your pick of the most beautiful, well dowered young women of the ton and now. . .now you are joining our family to hers instead. This. . .Miss Bennet. She is naught but a country girl whose situation in life has nothing in common with ours: no connexions, no social standing, and I assume no dowry to speak of.”
“Look at me—my face is hideous and will always be so! Do you think any of the belles to whom you refer could stand the sight of me now? My leg still pains me, and I shall always have a limp. I shall never be able to dance with my wife. Who do you suppose would be interested in me? Even my wealth cannot overcome my appearance. The last time I was in Lambton, people turned away in revulsion when they saw my face!”
“With your fortune and connexions, you might be amazed what some women would overlook to be Mrs. Darcy.”
“Yes, but those women are only interested in my money and my relationship with you. In a few days I shall marry Elizabeth because she is the right woman for me. She was kind to me when I looked much worse than this yet at that time, she had no idea how vast my holdings were. Unlike every other young woman I have ever met, she is most assuredly not a fortune hunter. I know you are saying what you think is best for me, but my mind is made up.”
“Very well, if you are certain. I am comfortable enough with the situation to give you my blessing, even though you have not asked for it. I challenged you to confirm you are making the right decision. If you love her, we shall love her, too. Now, shall we join the ladies?”
Why did his uncle assume that he loved her?
He supposed a man about to be married should love his betrothed.
He had never said a word to his family about any affection he might have for her.
He could tell them all how much he loved Elizabeth, but he would be lying to them and himself.
Why must he be this way? Why could he not love his betrothed?
* * *
Lambton
The following morning
During their shopping trip, Lady Matlock insisted on buying several silk nightgowns and robes as a wedding gift.
They were so exquisite and filmy! Elizabeth had never seen such fine, lovely fabrics.
She told Lady Matlock how grateful she was but silently doubted her future husband would ever see them.
Would he ever come to her bed? The last time their bare hands accidentally touched, he recoiled as if being burnt.
They purchased a jar of coloured face cream so Elizabeth could decide when and where she wished to cover her birthmark.
Several more items were acquired and ordered, and three tired women entered the teashop for refreshments.
“When you and Darcy come to London, I shall take you to my dressmaker to purchase your wedding clothes,” Lady Matlock said.
Miss Darcy added, “My aunt always knows what fabrics and styles are the best for me, and now we can all shop together!”
She could not believe her good fortune. These ladies were so kind. “Thank you both. We have not yet decided when we shall go to town, but I do look forward to benefitting from your advice.”
* * *
June 1812
Pembrook Cottage
“Miss Georgiana will introduce your friends to your new family in the chapel. Everyone will be familiar with one another by the time we return to the cottage for the celebratory breakfast,” said the housekeeper.
Mrs. Reynolds and Perkins were helping Elizabeth prepare for the wedding.
Mrs. Harmon had outdone herself—the gown was made of a pale pink silk with a darker pink sheer overlay that perfectly complemented Elizabeth’s complexion.
The gown was more beautiful than any she had ever owned.
She applied the face cream Lady Matlock purchased for her, and her birthmark did not show through.
Elizabeth had tears in her eyes as she admired her reflection in the mirror.
In her entire life she had never thought of herself as pretty, but today she believed it was so.
Why could she not be joyful? She was plagued by her second thoughts about the wedding.
When Elizabeth stood in the back of the church on her wedding day, her stomach was in knots.
Was she doing the right thing? The question ran through her mind over and over again.
Mr. Darcy stood near the altar and a sense of foreboding filled her.
Worse than that, his expression told her he felt the same way.
If she turned around now, she could take the next mail coach to London and this entire travesty would be quickly forgotten.
She should. It would make it easier for both of them.
Only a small group of people was gathered in the damaged Pemberley Chapel: the Fitzwilliams, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. Hopkins, and Mrs. Murray.
That was not a great deal of people to disappoint.
Elizabeth had asked Miss Darcy to stand up with her in the absence of one of her own sisters.
How can I marry a man who does not love me and go through this without any members of my family here to support me?
Did she have a choice? As much as she wished to run away, she could not humiliate Mr. Darcy by walking out the door.
Miss Darcy’s beaming countenance was on one side of the altar and Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned beside the impassive groom. A moment before she began to walk towards Mr. Martin, Lord Matlock strode to the back of the chapel and asked, “May I have the honour of walking you down the aisle?”
He had been reserved and wary of her when they first met, but his offer was the beginning of her acceptance into her husband’s family. “Thank you, my lord—I would like that very much.”
“Family, my dear. In the end, family is the most important thing, and, in a few moments, you will be my niece. My father taught me that a gentleman always acts in ways to give others happiness.”
“My lord, I shall never forget your thoughtfulness.”
Much relieved, Elizabeth placed her hand on his arm, and they walked towards the altar.
She swallowed. Mr. Darcy looked at her with a half-hearted smile and they both turned towards the vicar.
As they each recited their vows, she questioned whether she could love him as long as they both shall live, never mind her husband’s ability to love her.
Even though Mr. Darcy had begged her to marry him, so much had been left unsaid, and a great deal of awkwardness remained.
Yet when Lord Matlock had offered his arm to her earlier, it stirred her to believe there might be a small chance that she and Mr. Darcy could be content in their marriage. Hope would get her through this.