Page 36 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

COMPLIMENTS ALWAYS TAKE YOU BY SURPRISE

T wo days later, Elizabeth stood next to Darcy, holding onto his arm, as they awaited the arrival of Lady Matlock. He could feel her shaking slightly, his arm beneath hers. He reached over to pat her hand. “It shall be well, Elizabeth. You will see.”

Soon two carriages entered the drive and rolled up to Pemberley’s steps.

The countess alighted from the first; when the doors to the second opened, footmen rushed to unload an astonishing number of boxes, trunks, and portmanteaus.

Elizabeth wondered why the lady required so much luggage for a stay she had promised would be brief.

Darcy stepped forwards and as the servants bustled around them, he led Lady Matlock, dressed in a deep green gown and matching cloak, towards Elizabeth.

The countess was everything Elizabeth had imagined: elegant, well-dressed, and commanding.

But then she smiled, and Elizabeth could see the kindness in her countenance, and felt her tension easing .

“Oh, my dears, you are a sight for my weary eyes. Nephew,” she said, patting Darcy’s arm, “you are taller every time I see you.”

“Aunt, I have not grown an inch taller in fifteen years.”

“If you are not taller, then I must be shrinking, and we both know that is impossible!” She gave him a warm smile before turning to Elizabeth. “You must be the Elizabeth Bennet I keep hearing so much about.”

Elizabeth curtseyed. “My lady, it is an honour to meet you.”

“Lovely,” Lady Matlock said quietly, and though Elizabeth was unsure exactly what the countess meant, she could feel her face flush with embarrassment.

The lady abandoned Darcy’s arm and took Elizabeth’s hand.

“We are going to have a wonderful time together, Miss Bennet. I have brought you some things for your trousseau.” She looked over to a footman.

“You, there, please take the boxes and trunks to… Is there a bedchamber we might use, Darcy?”

“As you requested,” he told her. “The mistress’s chambers, Marcus.”

Darcy led them into Pemberley’s great hall and through the long corridor to the yellow sitting room. Darcy sent a look to the underbutler, Jensen, standing just inside the door, who nodded and left. “Tea will be served shortly.”

Once they were settled comfortably, it was Elizabeth who found her voice. “But I did not know to expect a…a trousseau, my lady.”

It was as if Darcy sensed her apprehension, “You will need more than you can imagine for the Season, particularly evening gowns. I asked my aunt to secure some things for you from her particular dressmaker in Matlock. ”

“She is French, and excessively talented.” Lady Matlock gave her an encouraging smile. “I will advise on what may be appropriate for each occasion, and how you may use adornments to your advantage.”

Elizabeth smiled even as she still felt uncertain. “I own that I am very eager to see what she has created for me.”

Though Elizabeth had been very nervous before meeting Darcy’s aunt, by the end of the hour, she was much more at ease.

Lady Matlock was, as Darcy had assured her, nothing like his other aunt; where Lady Catherine was cold and officious, the countess was warm and interested in learning more about her.

Once tea was finished and cleared, Lady Matlock requested Elizabeth meet her in the mistress’s rooms in an hour.

While the countess refreshed herself, Darcy and Elizabeth took a turn round the garden, arm in arm, enjoying one another’s company, until he led her to his mother’s former chambers at the appointed time.

When Elizabeth stepped into the room, she had a sense of stepping back into a different era.

There were rose patterns everywhere, from the wall-papers to the damask fabrics on the counterpane and the settee, it was a veritable haven of floral femininity. It even smelt like faint rose perfume.

“After all these years, it still has her fragrance.” There was a wistful tone in Lady Matlock’s voice.

“Lady Anne was a beautiful woman and the most caring of the Fitzwilliams. There have been none like her, before or since. She would be very happy that her son had chosen to marry for love, and not out of obligation.”

Elizabeth had gazed at the Darcy family portrait in the gallery many times, admiring the handsome woman who had given life to the man she loved. “I wish I could have known her.”

“You would have liked her. Everyone did. She had that way about her.”

Lady Matlock turned towards the boxes and trunks stacked on the bed and carpet.

Elizabeth came to stand near her as she nodded to the young woman, presumably the countess’s lady’s maid, who was quietly unlocking a trunk.

“Now, let us turn our attention to the future. Lady Landon tells me of your accomplishments, the propriety and ease of your comportment, and that you carry yourself as the gentleman’s daughter that you are.

I am glad to see for myself that it is so.

With new evening attire, we will give you the town bronze expected of Darcy’s wife. ”

Elizabeth frowned. “I do worry that gossip about the life I have lived the past few years may cause trouble in the future. I would never want to harm the standing or reputations of the Darcys and Fitzwilliams.”

“Not if Lady Pollard knows what is in her best interests,” said Lady Matlock, her countenance grim.

“A titled husband does not a lady make, particularly in the case of that one. Poor Georgiana, having to call that woman ‘sister’. In any case, it underscores why we must ensure that you have the finest of wardrobes and are connected to all the best people.”

“It is not only Lady Pollard. I fear Lady Catherine sees me as an interloper. Or worse.”

Lady Matlock waved her hand. “Catherine will come around. Or at least we can hope.” She shook her head.

“For both Fitzwilliam and Anne, I would dearly like to see compliance on her part, or at least an acknowledgement of their love for each other before their wedding. But we all know she can be stubborn when she chooses to be. Let us hope that time will mend what has been torn apart.” She sighed softly.

“While it is true we cannot stop what society may say about you, be assured that Catherine will not spread word of your, shall we say, ‘detour from gentility’. It would only harm her own reputation, which she cares about dearly.” She patted Elizabeth’s arm.

“We shall remain positive, and do all in our power to elevate you to the status befitting Mrs Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley. You must not dwell on what has happened in the past, but focus now on your future.”

There was a knock at the door, and Sarah entered, sewing box in hand, ready in case there were small alterations to be done. She gave Elizabeth a small smile and a nod.

A thrill of excitement ran through Elizabeth as Lady Matlock and her maid began opening trunks and boxes, revealing an array of garments, an elegant display of colours, textures, and fabrics, more than Elizabeth could have ever imagined owning.

It took her breath away, and she could not help but think of her mother.

Mrs Bennet would have squealed with delight over the grandeur of these gowns.

Although she likely would have thought each and all needed more lace.

As Elizabeth admired the most exquisite cerulean blue dress she had ever seen, she said, “My mother would have loved how magnificent these gowns are—she would have gasped over the detailed lace. She did love lace above all things.”

The countess did something unexpected, placing a gentle hand on Elizabeth’s arm.

“I can never be a substitute for the mother you have lost, my dear, but we will be family, and I shall always be your supporter. I too was once a nervous young bride, uncertain whether I belonged in the realm I entered. After all, I was not born a countess.”

Elizabeth looked at Lady Matlock’s image in the looking glass, and for a brief moment, she saw the young woman that she may have been, looking with trepidation and excitement towards her future. “You are very kind.”

“I flatter myself that I am.” Her ladyship chuckled gently and then clasped her hands together. “Now, which gown would you like to put on first?”

The hours which passed were both exhilarating and exhausting, as gown after gown was donned and inspected with a critical eye by the countess as well as her maid and Sarah, who examined the drape and fitting for needed alterations.

Elizabeth had never been stuck with so many pins in her life, nor had she been made to stand at attention while others scrutinised her.

While Elizabeth took a short rest, clad in a robe and sipping tea at the dressing table, Lady Matlock asked her maid to fashion her a new hairstyle, with small braids entwined, and ringlets framing Elizabeth’s face.

Then, at last, Elizabeth donned the blue dress she had earlier admired, with its exquisite lacework at the neckline and bodice.

When she finally looked into the cheval mirror, she was taken aback by the reflecting image.

Yes, she saw Elizabeth Bennet but also…Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.

“I hardly recognise myself.” Elizabeth turned a little to the right, and then a little to the left, watching her reflection as the dress did a small twirl at her feet. “Even before my father’s death, I had never owned a gown such as this. Do you think Darcy will approve?”

“I have no doubts at all.” Lady Matlock smiled, one eyebrow raised. “The true question is, do you?”

Elizabeth was quiet for a few moments. “I have not let myself hope to wear a ball gown ever again. It seems such a long time ago that last I did.”

She recalled being at Netherfield with her sisters, agreeing to dance with Mr Darcy, while her mother and father watched from their chairs along the side of the ballroom floor.

In her recollection, just a little faded from the years, she could remember the music, and the feel of her hand in his as he led her through the patterns.

“I was determined never to like a man like Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth told Lady Matlock. “But to my surprise, he asked me to dance at the Netherfield ball. And I said yes.”

“And you fell in love?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, no indeed! I may have been curious of the man, the most handsome man I had ever seen, but he was so serious and stared at me constantly in disapproval—or so I thought. When I looked at him, I saw only pride…whereas I know now that it was only reticence and discomfort. He, however, tells me that is when he knew…that I was for him. But I did not know it, and I did not feel affection as he did.That was the autumn of 1811. It has taken us so long to realise what we mean to each other.” She could not help the shroud of regret encasing her words.

Lady Matlock appeared to sense her melancholy and offered reassuring words. “You have realised it now, and that is what is most important. There are no wasted years, only life and growth. ”

“And loss,” Elizabeth said softly.

“There is that as well, unfortunately. But if what my son and nephew have told me is true, you have shown the courage of a lioness in the face of all you have endured. And those experiences, however difficult they were, and still are, is what will fortify you for the life ahead,” Lady Matlock said with authority.

A few moments later, each of them eager for a respite from fabrics and pins, they emerged from the room to find Darcy pacing in the corridor.

Lady Matlock smiled and announced, “I believe I will retire for a bit before we continue, Elizabeth. You two may carry on without me.”

When they both heard the soft click of Lady Matlock’s door closing, Darcy stepped closer to her and let out a long breath, his eyes dark and his gaze intense as they swept over her. “You are magnificent, my soon-to-be wife. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Am I fit to be Mrs Darcy?” she teased.

“You have always been fit to be Mrs Darcy, no matter your attire. What qualifies you is your heart, and how you genuinely love people…” He stepped closer, and her heart beat wildly again. “And, how you love me.”

“And I do. Of that, there is absolutely no doubt.”

He came to her left side, offering his arm. “May I escort you?”

She took his arm. “Where are we going?”

“To the library.”

She laughed, as it was not the answer she had expected, but allowed him to lead her on.

Once they entered the library, she saw Jensen standing near a large mahogany table.

Darcy nodded to him, and he quietly left them, leaving the door ajar.

As they drew closer, Elizabeth could see an array of wooden and mother-of-pearl boxes on the table—all beautifully made and all filled with jewellery.

She gasped. “What is all this?” Realising her mouth must be agape, she put her hand over it and stared at the display before her.

There was a gold and sapphire necklace, a silver necklace with a mix of emerald and rubies, another boasting light blue aquamarines, an opal brooch shaped as a bird, and at least a dozen rings, some ornate, some simple, all with dazzling precious stones, and each very elegant.

“These are some of my mother’s pieces…and now they will be yours.”

“Mine? Do they not belong to Georgiana?”

He shook his head. “She has her own collection of Darcy family jewels. These, and many more kept in town, were bequeathed to me. And now I present them to you. If there are any here that you admire, they are yours. If you would see them in a different setting to suit your taste, that may be done as well.”

“I would not know which to choose…they are all…exquisite.”

“Then, may I choose? Not all, but one to match this dress?”

“Of course.”

He chose the necklace of blue aquamarine and tiny pearls. It was strikingly elegant and it would have been Elizabeth’s first choice as well. “May I?”

She nodded, and Darcy lifted the necklace over her head, and came behind her to gently fasten the clasp. Feeling the warmth of his breath on her neck made her shiver .

“Are you cold?”

“No.” Her voice was barely a squeak, and she cleared her throat.

“No,” she said once again, a little louder.

She turned to face him. “I am perfectly content in every way.” And looking around the empty room, to the open door, she looked back into his eyes, rose on her toes, and kissed Darcy very softly on the lips.