Page 37 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
TO OBTAIN FORGIVENESS
S ix days later, her trunk packed with new gowns, Elizabeth joined Darcy to make the short journey to Matlock for Anne de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s wedding. Lady Matlock and Lady Landon smiled warmly at Elizabeth as she and Darcy were greeted by the engaged couple in the drawing room.
Miss de Bourgh, holding on to her betrothed’s arm, smiled softly in a way Elizabeth could hardly recognise.
It was a far more becoming expression than the anger and melancholy she recalled from their earlier meetings.
“Darcy. Miss Bennet. How nice to see you both again. How good of you to come to our wedding.”
“And you as well, Miss de Bourgh. Colonel.” Elizabeth had practised in her mind what she would say to the lady when next she saw her, but seeing her standing there, all thoughts fled.
“We are pleased to be here.” Darcy clasped hands with the colonel and nodded to Miss de Bourgh. She blushed and looked as if there may have been more that she wanted to say, but refrained, saying only that she would see them at supper and then, nodding to her betrothed, left the room.
Darcy asked the question Elizabeth herself had been wondering. “Is Anne well?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded. “May I speak to you both in private? Father’s study perhaps?”
They followed him down the long hall to Lord Matlock’s study. “Would you care for some refreshments? I happen to know where my father hides the best Cognac.” He chuckled but it was not quite successful in lightening the mood.
Darcy shook his head and asked, “What is it?”
“It has been a difficult time for Anne. Lady Catherine has sent word to my father that she will not come to the wedding. She begrudgingly retires to the dowager house in Kent. And while I am not surprised, it deeply grieves Anne, who has tried to mend the estrangement. I hope she will soon come round to accepting our marriage, and not create strife at Rosings.” He shook his head, and continued.
“Anne has also been very concerned about the reception she would receive from you both. She regrets deeply the anguish she has caused, and length of time you were separated.” Looking between his cousin and Elizabeth, he asked, “Will you be able to forgive her?”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth. “I cannot speak for Elizabeth, but I still care for my cousin. Do I forgive her of robbing me of time with the woman I love?” He sighed heavily. “I have accepted her apology and one day, I may learn to trust her again. But it will take time. ”
“That is all I ask.” Turning to Elizabeth, the colonel asked, “And you, Miss Bennet?”
“While I agree with what Darcy has expressed, I cannot say I have the same feelings. Miss de Bourgh and I had no previous history, other than a brief acquaintance at Rosings. Thus, I have no friendship nor kinship to mend, as there was never one to begin with.” Elizabeth paused.
“I can see now that she must have been very desperate indeed. Knowing your aunt as I do on such a short acquaintance, makes me more compassionate. My hope is that one day, I will call her my friend.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled at her and sighed with obvious relief.
“I see now, how easily my cousin has fallen in love with you. Thank you. I shall relay what you have expressed to Anne. She will be relieved. This has weighed heavy on her heart, and on mine.” He paused.
“I am only just beginning to know of the details of her life with our aunt. They are not my stories to tell, yet what I have learnt would sour your stomachs. While I was off fighting a brutal war, Anne was home battling the machinations and manipulations of a woman meant to protect her.”
He rose from his chair. “That is all I will share for now, as this is to be a happy occasion here, to celebrate our marriage…and in a way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials as well.”
Darcy rose to meet his cousin. “We have much to be grateful for, Fitzwilliam. May we, all of us, have a lifetime of love and happiness.”
Sitting at the dinner table that night, with Lord and Lady Matlock, Lord and Lady Landon, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss de Bourgh, Elizabeth realised a very profound truth.
For all she had lost five years ago, she was now part of another family, albeit one so very different from the one she had known and loved.
But here, amongst their chatter and laughter, she felt abundance instead of loss, comfort instead of loneliness.
She looked at Darcy, the man who had made this all possible, and wondered how, if ever, she could convey her deep appreciation for his love, and all that it encompassed.
When the men had rejoined the ladies after having their port, Darcy sought Elizabeth out. “The earl would like to speak with you.”
“The earl?”
“He is in his study. Would you like me to come with you?”
Elizabeth swallowed and looked down at her tightly clasped hands. The imposing Lord Matlock had said little to her since their arrival. “Thank you. But I shall go alone. All will be well, I am sure.” She tried to sound confident and unaffected, much more than she was really feeling.
Darcy showed her to the study, then left them.
Lord Matlock sat at his desk, a mahogany piece twice the size of Darcy’s, looking as commanding as his position.
The bookshelves behind him were heavy with leather-bound ledgers and journals, likely spanning centuries, she imagined.
She, feeling the weight of his position, curtseyed as best she could with shaking knees.
He chuckled. “Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I did not mean to provoke unease. I had something of a personal nature I wanted to speak to you about.” He gestured to the chair across from his desk, and she sat, grateful for the security of its cushions.
“I understand that you will not have a male relation walk with you down the aisle at your wedding. ”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened in surprise. “No sir. I have no remaining male relations.” It was a thought that had gone through her mind often since her engagement.
“We do not know each other very well, and I am no substitute for a beloved father or uncle, but as we are to be family soon, I would like to offer my services.” He cleared his throat. “It would be my honour to escort you on your wedding day.”
Surprised, it took a moment for Elizabeth to find her voice. “I am honoured?—”
“Of course, if there was someone else you would rather?—”
“I do not have anyone.”
“Well, now you do.”
“Yes, now I do.” She smiled at the man across from her, a stranger until today. But there was an amiability in his eyes, that reminded her of Darcy, and she felt a connexion to him, as well to his kind and generous wife. “Thank you. You are very kind.”
“Then it is settled.” He clapped his hands together.
“Lady Matlock will be relieved. She has been worried about your situation. She came home from Pemberley speaking your praises, as if echoing those of my daughter-in-law. But even I can see you have made my nephew very happy. And for that, I am grateful.”
The next morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne de Bourgh were married.
As pleasant as the wedding ceremony was, it was the breakfast that followed which Elizabeth truly enjoyed.
The meal was as resplendent as one would imagine for the wedding of a son of an illustrious earl.
The chatter and hum of conversations, and the occasional tinkling of forks and spoons sounded like music to Elizabeth.
How much she had missed the merriment and laughter at a large social gathering!
It reminded her of the happy years in Meryton, and she smiled thinking of the letters she had finally received from Lydia, Kitty, and Mary, all anticipation for their reunion at her own wedding in only a few weeks.
When the newly married couple had spent sufficient time with their guests, they went round the room saying their farewells.
After saying their goodbyes to them, Darcy and Elizabeth strolled arm in arm onto the Matlock lawn.
Finding a bench near the pond, they sat in the midday sun.
Though it was late autumn, it had been a blessedly warm day, perfect for celebrating nuptials, and dreaming of a future together.
A slight breeze was blowing, and tree leaves were shimmering down in brilliant shades of orange and red, one landing in Elizabeth’s hair. Darcy reached over, and gently removed it. “You need no additional adornment, my love. You look exquisite.”
Elizabeth looked down at the elegant lilac gown she was wearing, lustrous in the autumn sun.
Her hand went to her hair, where the leaf had been.
Sarah had learnt quite a bit from Lady Matlock’s maid; Elizabeth’s hair was up and twisted behind, with long delicate curls framing her face.
She was feeling very much a lady, and from Darcy’s continuous looks throughout the wedding and breakfast, she felt herself attractive.
What a difference from the feelings she carried with her while in London, just months before!
She reached for the leaf he held in his hand, and twirled it between her fingers. “May I tell you a secret?”
This seemed to surprise Darcy, as it looked like he held his breath for a moment. “Please do. ”
“This dress makes me feel rather pretty. Does that make me vain?”
“It is not vanity when it is the truth. You must know you have charmed my whole family. My uncle, aunt, Fitzwilliam, Lady Landon…even Landon, who never warms to anyone, all speak very highly of you. And of your beauty.”
Elizabeth felt her face warm. “I am glad to know it.”
“I once called you one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance. But I have since changed my opinion,” he said playfully.
“Hmm, could that have occurred when you saw me in my maid’s apron, covered head to toe in muddy water?”
He smiled and shook his head. “Even then, I found you the handsomest woman of my acquaintance. It is not simply your beauty, which I find extraordinary under any circumstances, nor is it for the liveliness of your mind. Or even,” he said warmly, “of your exceedingly fine eyes, and very tender heart.”
“And do not forget my frankness and sharpness of tongue,” she quipped.
“How could I forget!”
Elizabeth frowned as she recalled her abrupt and thorough refusal of his first proposal.
Darcy continued, “All I know, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, is that you have made a deep and profound impression on me. And I ardently love the whole of you. Our wedding cannot come soon enough.”
“I feel the same way, my love.” She touched his face with her palm, and he turned to kiss it, causing a tingling effect from her hand to her shoulder.
After a happy moment passed, Darcy took her hand between his and turned to her with a serious expression. “Lord Matlock has told me of some news that you should be aware of, regarding Lord and Lady Pollard.”
“Oh?” She could hear the hollowness in her voice; apparently so could Darcy, so he pressed her hand tightly.
“They have sold their home in town, and there are rumours that they are on the verge of ruin.”
“Really? Ruin?”
Darcy nodded. “I do not know the whole of it, but I understand they have lost a large portion of their fortune, as well as their home in Northamptonshire, to lenders. Apparently, there was some speculation gone awry, and most likely gambling debts involved as well. According to my uncle, no one knows the whereabouts of Lord Pollard. There are rumours he has fled the country.”
“What a scoundrel! What of the children, Darcy? No matter the mistakes and misfortunes of the parents, they are innocent and this could ruin them as well. Humphrey and Clara were not bad children. The poor things had already lost their natural mother. And now, their father? What shall become of them?”
He reached over to lay his hand on hers. “Do not worry yourself. I will send a message to Bingley. I am sure he will help if he can.”
“But they are not Lady Pollard’s natural children, and thus not Bingley’s responsibility.”
“Yes. But Bingley has a kind heart, as we both know. Pollard has an elder sister, as did his late wife. I have no doubt the children will be looked after, one way or another.”
“And what shall happen to Lady Pollard? Will she go to the Hursts? ”
Darcy looked at her with surprise on his features. “Do you not see this embarrassment as some sort of justice for the harm she has caused you?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I would wish this on no one. She might deserve it but I should never wish it upon her. What a sad situation.”
“I did not mean to make you sad, not on a day of celebration such as this.”
“I am glad you told me. What happens to the Pollard family, and their losses, will affect many. With the London house sold, I worry about the servants I once knew there. I hope they will be well.” Sighing, she added, “I shall have to tell Sarah and Reggie.”
“No one but you would worry about the servants, dearest. I shall make enquiries for you.”
“Thank you.” She looked up at him. “With this news, it feels very much the end of a chapter in my life. Certainly not my favourite chapter.”
“No. Perhaps I am the next one?”
“You are my present, my future, and my forevermore.” She leant over and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
He smiled at her appreciatively. “Speaking of our next chapter, shall we discuss our wedding trip? It is the one thing we have yet to settle on, my love. I know of your interest in visiting the Lakes.”
She nodded. “Yes. It has been my wish. My aunt and uncle often spoke of it, and it was hoped that I could join them on their visit. But we never had the chance.”
“Then if it is to your liking, I say we shall go in mid-spring when the flowers are starting to bloom.”
“Anywhere with you shall be a dream come true.”
Darcy put his arm around her, and pulled her closer to him, kissing the top of her head.
These small displays of affection pulled at Elizabeth’s heart.
She knew of his ardour for her, but these affectionate demonstrations of his love for her were still new, and quite surprising.
She looked around, as he murmured, “No one shall mind, Elizabeth. There are but three weeks, and you shall be mine, and I shall be yours. And then you shall be used to these displays of affection.”
“I do not mind them at all, my love. In fact, I may just learn to depend upon them.” She leant her head against his shoulder.
“Then I shall not disappoint you.” He pulled her closer still.
“I know you shall not want to be far from Jane as she enters her confinement, which I understand, shall happen soon. How do you feel about a trip to Dovedale and Buxton for our wedding journey? There are exquisite views, lovely walks, and I daresay we shall be quite on our own to do as we please.”
Alone with Mr Darcy? She looked up into his handsome face, so close to hers. “I can think of nothing better.” She could not help the flush that appeared on her face, and hoped he did not notice. But, of course he did, as watching her was one of his favourite pastimes.