Chapter 18 #4
A discussion in bed later that night caused Elizabeth to sigh.
“From the moment she arrived, she demonstrated how inappropriate she is when she speaks. All that talk about your wealth! My necklace must have cost a fortune—best not show her the rest of the Darcy jewels! And those questions about how many rooms are in the house and how large is the estate! Not to mention her advice on begetting an heir. I told you she speaks before she thinks. She equated you offering her a carriage and arranging for her accommodations on her way home with being an excellent man. Oh, and it does not matter if I am now pretty with my face cream—somehow I already managed to marry a rich man! Your wealth is the only thing that matters, not that you are the best of men—which you are! Without ever meeting him, she already loves Richard for the sole reason that his father is an earl. When she asked if Anna had any of those dreadful birthmarks, it brought back all the bad things she said to me up until the day I left for London. She blames me for not finding wealthy husbands for Lydia and Kitty. I am certain that the moment she learnt I was with child and that we would not be in London, she pressured them to marry the first eligible men who came along!” Her mother’s behaviour saddened her, but she had long ago given up any hope that Mama would ever change.
“I have heard a man looks at his bride’s mother as a portent of the future.” What? He was teasing, the silly man, to lift her spirits!
“That comment does not warrant a response. I suppose she means well, but she does not realize how much her words still hurt. She brought my father’s books here because no one else wanted them.
I cannot complain too much because I cherish them.
But heaven forbid she or one of my younger sisters read anything other than a fashion magazine.
I am only glad you met her when it was already too late to change your mind about me. ”
“I shall never change my mind about my love for you—besides, her behaviour could never be as bad as Lady Catherine’s.
I cannot recall you ever mentioning your mother withholding medical treatment from any of her children.
Mrs. Bennet is just as you described her, all the bad parts at least. Yet she loves her daughters and is proud of the lives they have made for themselves.
I believe she is very impressed with the rebuilt portions of the manor house.
It was kind of her to bring your father’s books—there will be a special place for them when the library is rebuilt.
I hope she describes every little detail of Pemberley to Lady Lucas and your Aunt Philips! ” They both laughed.
“If she tells me she is no longer pleased to be living with her sister, may I let a house for her in Meryton?”
“You need not ask. Our money is yours to spend as you wish. We shall do whatever makes her happiest.”
“Let us have this discussion again at the end of her two weeks and see if you feel the same way then. Mama did not write to me about either of my sisters’ marriages.
I did not know that all three of my younger sisters were to be mothers until she wrote to Jane about why she would not be at her wedding.
I believe we had a bet that my youngest sisters would be married before we travelled to London. ”
“I certainly lost that bet—what do I owe you?”
Elizabeth moved closer to her husband and caressed his face. “You know Mama reminded us that Pemberley needs an heir and encouraged us to start working on it.”
Darcy let out a low laugh. “That was a wager I am thrilled to lose. Besides, a wise man said always listen to your wife’s mother.” He leaned towards Elizabeth and kissed her in a way that ended all further discussion.
The day before Mama was scheduled to leave, Elizabeth and her mother took a walk in the gardens. “Mama, are you pleased to be living with Aunt and Uncle Philips?”
“Yes, now that Lydia and Kitty have married and it is just the three of us, I have plenty of room.”
“If you had enough money, would you move into your own home?”
“Move? If I had my own house, I would be all alone. No, I shall stay precisely where I am. I can visit Mary and Kitty as often as I like, and Lydia has invited me to stay after they are settled into their new home.”
“I am glad you are here with us, Mama. I wrote to Jane and told her you are here.”
“She invited me to visit her at Willow House. She wishes to introduce me to her husband and to Lord and Lady Matlock. Oh Lizzy, I feel so unprepared to meet members of the nobility.”
“You are their new daughter’s mother, and they will treat you with respect. They are generous people who welcomed Jane into the family with open arms.”
She took her daughter’s hand and kissed it. “Be happy, my Lizzy, be happy.”
For a moment, Elizabeth was speechless. She was shocked by her mother’s words.
After years of hearing nothing but negative things said about her, for the first time in her life, her mother treated her as she treated her other daughters.
Her heart had been injured by Mama’s unkind words but she had to forgive her in order to heal the wounds left behind.
The visit would end on an encouraging note.
* * *
When Mama returned to Meryton she actually wrote to Elizabeth that she had told all her friends about how well her two oldest daughters lived and how kindly she was treated by Jane’s noble relations. Her report indicated that Lady Lucas was pea green with envy.
Elizabeth let out a light laugh as she set the missive on her writing desk.
She supposed that it was not so bad to be the subject of her mother’s gossip when it involved her own praise.
At long last she had her mama’s approbation, but she would need some time to become accustomed to the change!
She had already been determined to do better for her children given such a poor example.
Besides, she had Fitzwilliam by her side.
They were fortunate to have their mutual regard, and it would make for an enchanted future with the family they would make together.
The End…