Page 32 of Lord Lonbourn’s Daughter
Elizabeth warned the colonel and her father not to overtax Mr Darcy before she left the gentlemen to quarrel amongst themselves. Mary escorted Kitty home while Elizabeth begged Jane to stay with her for a little while, and they moved to her chamber.
“Jane, are you certain you want to reject Mr Bingley for Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
“Why, do you not like the colonel?” Jane enquired.
“Of course I like the colonel, but I thought you were halfway in love with Mr Bingley. Besides, I cannot help but feel sorry for him. He will be heartbroken.”
“Tell me, Lizzy. If you had been given the opportunity to marry someone you were in love with instead of being forced by a criminal to wed Mr Darcy, would you not have leapt at the opportunity and detached yourself? I admit that the days when the colonel escorted us around town with Lady Matlock were infinitely more pleasurable than the days when Lord Matlock or the viscount escorted us. Not that I do not appreciate Lord Matlock or the viscount, but Richard has touched my heart. I enjoyed Mr Bingley’s company—he is an amiable gentleman—but I crave the presence of the colonel.
I would have married Mr Bingley to save Miss Darcy, and I would have been content, but it is meaningless to continue now that she has been found.
I should have the opportunity to choose, should I not? ”
“Yes… Yes, you should. I am sorry for questioning your decision, Jane. It is not my place to do so.”
Jane embraced her sister and left for Bennet House. Mr Bingley was expected to visit, and there was an unpleasant conversation to be had.
Elizabeth was left to retrospection following her sister’s question. If she could erase the last week, begin with a clean sheet, unattached in her maidenly innocence, would she change her fate and unshackle herself from Mr Darcy? No, she would not…
#
For the second time in two days, angry voices carried through the wall from Mr Darcy’s study. This time, Elizabeth did what she should have done the first time. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and walked into the lion’s den.
“What is the meaning of this? I heard raised voices. I must ask you to bear in mind that Mr Darcy is recovering from a head injury and should not be taxed.”
“Darcy has just admitted that he was the principal, if not the only, means of separating me from your sister. A lady approved by my family! Exposing me to the derision of society and my own disappointed hopes while leaving Jane to be censured for caprice and instability. Believe me, my misery is acute. Darcy has blasted the prospects of my future felicity,” Mr Bingley admonished in an unusual fit of pique.
“My dear Mr Bingley, we are dealing with a criminal mastermind who is toying with all our lives. You must see that Mr Darcy had no other choice but to comply? Besides, no one is left unscathed in this debacle. You could not expect Colonel Fitzwilliam to leave Miss Darcy to fend for herself when he found her in the clutches of our enemy, could you? Would you have waited a week if it had been your own sister who had been abducted? May I even suggest that this last demand was a deliberate attempt to divide us? We should not let them succeed, Mr Bingley. Until all our sisters have been returned to us, we must put our own lives on hold. Except that you are free to do as you please, but for marrying my sister. I am sorry if your heart is broken, Mr Bingley. If it is any consolation, I would dearly have liked to have you as my brother.”
Mr Bingley bowed, hardly appeased but defeated by a united couple with little sympathy for his plight, and left the newly married Darcys.
#
A routine was established during the following week, including Georgiana, who seemed as humble as ever.
Elizabeth was relieved she had managed to keep calm on the first day of her discovery and had not berated the girl as she had longed to do.
Georgiana had been fed lies by a person she trusted implicitly and had known for some duration—Mrs Younge, who had since disappeared.
By knowing her better, Elizabeth’s understanding of the pliable and reserved girl improved her perception of her actions.
Soon after they agreed to forego formality and address each other by their Christian names.
Another closely kept secret was her sister Jane’s engagement to the colonel.
Mr Bingley had managed to keep that juicy tidbit to himself as Miss Bingley kept visiting Jane with the intent of forwarding her brother.
Jane kept her serenity and welcomed the visitor for the allotted fifteen minutes.
It was straining to her equilibrium, however, and when the first reading of the banns grew near, the colonel’s patience was at an end.
He insisted Mr Darcy must come to church and breakfast at Matlock House afterwards to show his support for the engagement.
#
Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. The heavens must approve her sister’s choice, Elizabeth thought as the weather was exceptionally warm for May. It might be that the male form currently embracing her contributed to the aforementioned heat.
It was one of their newly established routines—to spend their nights together.
Elizabeth did not move as the clock on her mantelpiece showed there was still time to dress for church.
Which was a thought that made her stomach churn a little.
What would the beau monde make of her sister’s change of heart?
And would Mr Bingley be made a laughingstock?
The first indication of what was to come would be revealed after the service.
In the interim, she relished being held in a tight embrace.
Warm breath wafted over her ear; a hand carefully placed tickled her inside, compelling hope to soar in her chest. The impulse to turn and watch him sleep was quashed.
The jostling about would surely awaken him, and she was of a mind to prolong the blissful moment.
#
Matlock House, after church
“What were you thinking? It must be undone! What about Georgiana’s feelings?” The usually tranquil viscount was having a fit of temper in the Matlock parlour.
“Where does Georgiana come into this?” the colonel wanted to know.
“You were supposed to marry her to stave off the rumours created by the abduction!”
“Georgiana was never abducted, and better yet, four days have gone by without a word about her in that section of The Times. Which is the best possible outcome for our young cousin.”
“Then why would you bring scandal upon us by stealing another man’s betrothed?” Crawford demanded.
“Because this scandal will eventually be forgotten, while I am married to the most beautiful creature on earth.” The colonel grinned in happiness.
“Beauty fades,” the viscount scoffed. “You will be left with a vapid creature.”
“Lady Jane’s beauty far exceeds her outer appearance. She has the most beautiful soul and serenity I have ever encountered. She is a balm to a tired soldier’s heart. I could not walk away when I realised she returned my feelings. All is fair in love and war, as they say.”
Elizabeth was glad that Jane was safely ensconced in the bosom of her family at Bennet House, blissfully unaware of the havoc her betrothment had created at Matlock. At least the viscount had concealed his displeasure until they were privately sequestered in their family home.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, had no such luck. Her place was at her husband’s side, in this as in everything else. She might, if the occasion arose naturally, relate the colonel’s words to Jane as the sentiments expressed were utterly romantic. Elizabeth sighed.
“What about the rest of the family, Richard? Have you no consideration for the infamy you bring upon us?”
Lady Matlock lay a comforting hand on her eldest son’s forearm.
“I do not believe it is as dire a scandal as you seem to believe, Montgomery. I have heard ladies express their disbelief that Lady Jane would throw herself away on a tradesman’s son.
Mr Bingley is an outstanding man, but his lineage leaves much to be desired.
Lady Jane is a good match for Richard in every sense. ”
“Her dowry is ten thousand less than Georgiana’s,” the viscount stubbornly pointed out.
“Jane has an estate that yields five thousand a year—not that monetary gain was ever part of my motive. I mention the fact to prove to my recalcitrant brother that she is in every way superior to any lady I have met.”
“Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth added wryly.
“No slight intended to the married ladies of my acquaintance.” The colonel grinned.
“You cannot possibly condone such behaviour, Lady Elizabeth?” The viscount had not yet surrendered.
“What behaviour exactly is that? Should one follow the demands of a villain of the worst sort or follow one’s mind and heart in marriage?”
“I thought you liked Mr Bingley,” Crawford said accusingly.
“I do. I would not mind having Mr Bingley as a brother, but my opinion matters little. The completion of the marriage must be left to others,” Elizabeth confirmed.
“May I suggest,” Lady Matlock interrupted, “that we attend events as if nothing untoward has happened? We should be out and about, not hiding ourselves as though we have something to be ashamed of. I suggest that we all go to Lady Hamilton’s ball on Tuesday.”
“Lady Hamilton’s style stretches the confines of decorum a little too much,” Mr Darcy objected.
“It is a masquerade, not a ribald bawdy house. Honestly, Darcy, sometimes I wonder which of us is the old aunt. I thought you would be pleased to hide your discoloured face behind a mask.”
“There will be the German waltz,” he reminded the countess.
“If you do not like to waltz, you may engage your bride for the allemande, or better yet, the minuet.”
“Mr Darcy should probably rest his knee,” Elizabeth cautioned.