Page 51 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

T he wedding of Viscount Middleton and Miss Weatherington had been put together rather hastily.

Both sets of parents feared that the groom would depart for the colonies if he was allowed to think about his situation for too long, so rather than wait the three weeks for the banns to be called, a license had been purchased to allow the couple to wed as quickly as they – or their parents – wished.

To Mr. Darcy’s surprise, the Viscount had asked him to stand up with him at his wedding, saying, “It is your doing that I am here, rather than in Canada, so you may as well help seal my doom.”

***

Mr. Darcy stood beside his cousin at the altar of St. George’s church in Mayfair.

The Earl and Countess, ashamed of how this marriage had come about, had invited none of their own circle; the Viscount had refused to invite any of his compatriots; the bride had few friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Weatherington, on the other hand, invited anyone and everyone they could think of.

After all, snaring a Viscount was an event worth celebrating.

As Miss Weatherington stepped up to the altar, Mr. Darcy could see that she was not at all pretty, though she wore a lovely silk pink gown and had a circlet of white flowers on her head.

Mr. Darcy felt rather sorry for her, having to marry under such a cloud – and to such a man.

Neither of them would be happy, he feared.

He listened to the wedding service and imagined, for a brief minute, that it was he himself who was the groom, marrying some young lady here at St. George’s.

His bride would be pretty, he supposed. He tried to imagine her, but blonde hair and blue eyes soon became mahogany hair and chocolate eyes…

he could not picture himself standing beside anyone except her, except Miss Elizabeth.

He shook himself out of his daydream just as the service finished.

The Viscount hesitated before offering his arm to his new wife, but he finally did so; the new Viscountess took it without looking at her new husband, and the two walked down into the pews to accept the congratulations of the attendees.

Mrs. Weatherington was clearly delighted, saying again and again how happy she was to welcome her new son-in-law into the family.

The Earl and Countess smiled, as they knew they must, but the smiles never reached their eyes.

Immediately after the wedding breakfast, the Viscount and Viscountess departed in the Viscount’s carriage for his estate, Middleton, in the county of Sussex.

They were accompanied by four of the Viscountess’ dogs, as she refused to leave without them.

The rest of her canine friends were to join her at a later date.

***

Mr. Darcy was glad to return to Darcy House.

He could not recall having attended so unpleasant an event before.

Bingley’s wedding had been a joyous occasion, everyone laughing together, bride and groom smiling lovingly at one another.

His cousin’s wedding, on the other hand, had felt more like a funeral.

He waved away his housekeeper’s offer of refreshments and went to his study to attend to his correspondence.

He saw the usual bills, the weekly report from his steward at Pemberley, a letter from Georgiana and a letter from Aunt Catherine.

He winced upon seeing that missive from Kent, but thought he may as well get the worst over with.

Darcy,

You refuse to do your duty to Anne, but I hope you will at least continue to honor your obligations to me . I do expect you here at Rosings at Easter to review the accounts and meet with the steward.

I saw an announcement in the paper – is it true that Daniel has married some nobody! Why did he not consider Anne? That would have been a far better match! Has the wedding already occurred? Perhaps it is not too late for him to make a better choice. Anne would make a splendid Viscountess!

Affectionately,

Aunt Catherine

Mr. Darcy sighed. He had hoped that she would be angry enough to not request his presence this spring; perhaps she still hoped that he would bend to her wishes regarding Anne.

Aunt Catherine,

Daniel was compromised into marriage; the wedding has already taken place.

I will see you at Easter.

Darcy

Indeed, he thought, Daniel may as well have married Cousin Anne; she was at least a bit more attractive than Miss Weatherington, she would inherit Rosings, and she had no dogs.