Page 17 of Losing Lizzy

They spent a fortnight with her family. Darcy remained constantly aware he must be in Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire, to assume his position at the inn before Mr. Ruffe was to leave. He sent a message ahead to reserve a like room for Elizabeth and Lizzy. They would exchange their vows in the small town before heading to Derbyshire.

Although Mr. Bennet was not happy to have Darcy and Elizabeth sharing rooms, the gentleman swallowed his objections in order to maintain the ruse he had assisted in putting into place. Both Darcy and Elizabeth provided her father the assurances they meant to marry once they departed for Derbyshire. Darcy explained his plan for a quiet ceremony and how he had established his residency in Dry Drayton.

Each day, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet spent hours upon end with their granddaughter, taking the child into the village and telling anyone who would listen how he and Elizabeth had been married all along. Carrying their tale to Mrs. Phillips easily spread the story, not only tothose in the village, but to the neighborhood, as well. While he and Sheffield spent much of their time in Mr. Bennet’s library, Elizabeth proved the consummate hostess as visitors appeared often upon the Bennet’s threshold to behold both a quick glance at the marriage certificate, but also to hear Elizabeth repeat how she should have spoken the truth when their botched wedding occurred, but she was too distraught at the possibility of someone bringing harm to him that she responded inappropriately. She claimed to have been embarrassed from foisting a sham upon her parents’ friends and neighbors.

“I have not noted any of the Lucases among those making social calls,” Darcy said well into their second week at Longbourn.

Elizabeth leaned closer to explain, “Mr. Bennet made a private call upon Sir William to explain Mr. Collins’s part in Lizzy Anne’s kidnapping and to offer his gratitude to Charlotte for convincing her husband to act with honor. Upset by the turn of events, Sir William and Lady Lucas set out immediately for Kent. I believe they mean to fetch Charlotte home for her lying-in, especially with the chaos going on at Rosings Park and Mr. Collins’s questionable future.” She drew her legs up beneath her to curl closer into the curve of his body and to steal his warmth. “Will the colonel replace Mr. Bennet’s cousin?” she asked when she was settled.

Darcy shrugged. “I left that decision to Fitzwilliam.”

“Has your aunt departed Rosings?” she asked tentatively.

“Fitzwilliam saw her off. Ironically, she left England at Queenborough Harbor rather than from London’s docks,” he shared.

“Do you know her destination?”

He admitted, “I do not. As long as I am never asked to be in her company again, I am satisfied.” Although he knew his measures necessary, it still bothered Darcy to lose so many family members with one swipe of his hand. “I am certain Fitzwilliam and Anne have been made aware of her ladyship’s plans.”

“When will the Fitzwilliams settle in at Rosings?”

“He will oversee the payment of the quarter day taxes, but my cousin assumes it will be November before he and Georgiana move into the estate. Anne remains with them at Darcy House, and Fitzwilliam reports she is adapting quite nicely to London’s social life.”

Elizabeth glanced across the room to where Mr. Sheffield and Miss Bennet had their heads together, discussing a book of poetry the gentleman had purchased for Miss Bennet in the village when they had all walked into Meryton earlier in the day. Ironically, he and Elizabeth, as the assumed married couple, were to be serving as chaperones for the pair. “Will he propose?” she asked. “I would not wish for Jane to know heartbreak again.”

“I plan to speak to him tomorrow regarding the London bookstore. I have had confirmation from my man of business, who says I should have the deed in my hands by early tomorrow. He has also located a Town home in Picadilly that could prove a viable home for Sheffield and your sister, a house that would allow them to entertain and raise a family. I thought the house might be a wedding present from Mr. Bennet, that is, if your father is willing to assist us in another pretense.”

She kissed his cheek. “You are very attractive when you are forceful, sir.” They looked deeply into each other’s eyes, finding satisfaction. “Shall you turn against me if I can bear you no more children?” she asked tentatively. “Shall Lizzy and I be enough to keep you happy?”

“I love you, Elizabeth,” he proclaimed. “Even if we had no children, I would still choose you. I could never be content with another.”

* * *

“You wished to speak to me, sir?”

Darcy sat in the corner of Mr. Bennet’s study, pretending to be addressing his daily correspondence to those in London.

“Yes,” Mr. Bennet said casually. Darcy had found Bennet a cooperative co-conspirator, making a few changes and involving Elizabeth’s uncle, Mr. Gardiner. “Please join me.”

Sheffield shot a questioning glance to Darcy, but he did as Mr. Bennet suggested.

Once all were settled, Bennet began without preamble. “I have taken notice of your attentions to Miss Bennet. Do you mean to speak to my daughter of a future before you depart Longbourn this week?”

Darcy smiled. He had rarely viewed Sheffield flustered, but today was the exception. “I—I would hope to do so, but all I have to offer your daughter is a few rooms over my shop in Brighton. I believe she deserves more than a simple man. Miss Bennet is everything a man could look for in a wife, and I am not of her social class.”

Bennet frowned. “Miss Bennet deserves to be happy, and I think you could provide her that happiness. And as to the other matter, are you not a gentleman’s son? I was led to believe you began your career in Darcy’s service as his tutor—that you held a gentleman’s education.”

“I do, sir,” Sheffield was quick to say. “Marrying your eldest daughter would be my fondest wish, but I will never own an estate for Miss Bennet to manage.”

“Yet, you are capable of purchasing a home, are you not?” Bennet charged.

Sheffield tugged nervously on his sleeve. “Yes, but—”

Bennet interrupted. “I thought you were a wealthy man. Is that not what you told me when we sat in this very office four years prior?”

Darcy cleared his voice. He had permitted Mr. Bennet his fun with Sheffield; now, it was time for him to lead them all to the same conclusion. “I believe Mr. Sheffield’s expenses were more than he expected when he made his bargain with you then. Not that he has ever complained about the role he played in rescuing Elizabeth when I could not.”

“Knowing Elizabeth and the child have been the most spectacular moments in my life,” Sheffield said with emotion.

“Would you not wish to have those moments again?” Bennet demanded. “With your own children? My Jane is six and twenty, certainly still young enough to bear you children of your own. Would that not be your wish, sir?”

Mr. Sheffield blushed thoroughly, but he said, “I can think of nothing grander, sir.”

Bennet nodded his head in Darcy’s direction. “Then, you and I, Darcy, should discover a means to assist Sheffield and Jane to a better understanding.” He turned to ask Sheffield, “Do you wish to remain in Brighton?”

Sheffield shrugged. “I possess few choices. One of my reasons for not proposing to your daughter is I would not wish to expose Miss Bennet to the gossip that likely awaits my return to the town. Elizabeth and I left abruptly. The magistrate knew we searched for the child, and Elizabeth’s ‘supposed’ husband had returned and was not a Dartmore, but a Darcy. Moreover, how do I marry Miss Bennet when she is Elizabeth’s sister, and, in Brighton, everyone thought Elizabeth was my niece? We have told too many lies there to take them back. Miss Bennet should not be exposed to the gossip. In fact, it is likely to affect my business there.”

Darcy abandoned his pretense and moved his chair closer. “Elizabeth told me how you had thought to purchase Brooke’s before you took up her cause.”

“I do not regret my decision, sir. Having Elizabeth and Lizzy with me proved what I have always known: I want a family of my own.”

“Then, perhaps, this will provide you the means to know your happiness. It is a gift from Elizabeth and me—a symbol of our gratitude.” He placed papers before his former servant, a man who had always been his friend.

Sheffield’s eyes scanned the papers. “This appears to be the deed to Fowler’s on Park Lane.” The man’s hands shook as he turned the pages, attempting to take it all in.

“It is not Brooke’s,” Darcy said with a smile of satisfaction.

“It is larger than Brooke’s.” Tears misted Sheffield’s eyes. “I could not accept this, sir. It is too much.”

“You could and you will,” Darcy said in serious tones. “Consider it a repayment for your care of the two people most important in my life. Without you, Elizabeth Anne would not be alive. This was the one gift Elizabeth asked of me when she agreed to be my wife again.”

“I do not know what to say, sir.” Sheffield’s eyes again looked over the deed.

“You have time to read the papers a thousand times if you like. Fowler has asked to remain with the business until the next quarter day, which is Christmas so you will have time to decide what you will do with the shop in Brighton. Sell it. Let it out to another.”

“My nephew requires an occupation after his service in the war. He wishes to marry,” Sheffield said. “Perhaps he—”

“Again, you have time to consider what is best for you,” Darcy said with a pat on his friend’s back.

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat then. He reached into the drawer, took out a paper with a drawing of a house upon it. “I hope you do not mind, when Darcy informed me of his gift to you, I sent an express to London to my wife’s brother, Mr. Gardiner. The man knows London like the back of his hand.” Bennet tapped the drawing. “This is a sketch of a house in Town that is available to let with an option to purchase. Gardiner says it is in Picadilly, not many streets removed from the shop of which Darcy spoke. If you are sincere in your wish to marry our Jane, I would have no qualms in investing a portion of her allowance, the rest to be paid, naturally, upon my death, as a down payment on this house. Moreover, her Uncle Gardiner is willing to pay the first three months of the mortgage as a wedding present for you two.”

“You would trust me with Miss Bennet’s future?” Sheffield said in awe.

“I trusted you with the future of my second daughter, and you proved most resourceful,” Mr. Bennet declared. “Miss Bennet is as precious to me as is Elizabeth. She deserves a man who would put her interests above his own—a trait sadly missing from others who wished to claim her hand. Make her happy, Sheffield. Make certain she never regrets giving her heart to you. That is all I ask.”

“I will do my best, sir,” Sheffield said in reverence.

Bennet laughed easily. “I, personally, despise London, but if both Jane and Elizabeth are in residence in the City, I might allow Mrs. Bennet to drag me there more often.”

“How am I to express my gratitude?” Sheffield said in dismay.

“Treat my Jane well. I do not wish to view her ever again discounting her worth as a woman,” Bennet said in warning.

“I will do my best, sir.” Sheffield stood suddenly, looking around as if he did not know where he was. He clutched the deed and the drawing within his grasp.

Darcy said in amusement, “I believe Miss Bennet and Elizabeth were in the morning room when I joined Mr. Bennet earlier. If I were you, I would start my search for the lady there.”

* * *

They had traveled to Cambridge on Wednesday, 25 September 1816, so Darcy might call upon the Bishop of Ely’s—Bowyer Sparke—office to apply for the appropriate jurisdiction and submit an allegation, presented under oath, that there were no impediments to a marriage between Elizabeth and him. The allegation required him to supply their names, ages, birthdates, and make a declaration of no need for her father’s permission to marry. Although his doing such was more public than either of them liked, the procedure of purchasing an ordinary license was infinitely better than the public calling of the banns. With the license in hand, on Friday they made their way to Dry Drayton, where he paid Mr. Ruffe a nominal fee and replaced the man in the let room, purchasing a like room for Elizabeth and their child. There they would wait until the day of their wedding.

On Saturday, he called upon the vicar at the Church of St Peter and St Paul and presented his license and explained his month-long occupation of a room at The Black Bell s , claiming to have been in residence for three Sundays, the number of Sundays required for a calling of the banns. Arrangements were made for their service on Wednesday, with the vicar insisting upon Darcy meeting the full residency requirement by staying through Monday, as “he” did not register at the inn until late on Sunday, 8 September 1816. Although Darcy did not approve of the delay, he kept his mouth closed, for the vicar had the right to insist they wait another week, if he so chose. Even if Darcy wished to complain, he would not draw more attention to his marriage to Elizabeth than was necessary.

They married on 2 October 1816, only six weeks short of their original wedding day. It was a very simple ceremony with only the vicar and the cleric’s wife and son who stood as witnesses. Darcy had paid the innkeeper’s wife to entertain Elizabeth Anne at the inn during the service, fearing his daughter, as intelligent as ever, would say something to someone at Pemberley that might cause people to question their story of secretly marrying years prior.

“Might we celebrate both days?” Elizabeth asked as she snuggled into his embrace as they crossed Leicestershire and made their way toward Derbyshire and Pemberley. Lizzy Anne was asleep on the opposing bench. “I know it is necessary to maintain the pretense of our August wedding, but I do not want to pretend this one never occurred.”

“I agree.” He trailed a line of kisses from her ear to the indentation of her neck. “One will be the public celebration required to keep Elizabeth Anne safe,” he murmured against her skin. “And the other celebration specifically designed for just us two.”

Elizabeth snaked her arms about his neck. “I fear,” she said, her lips hovering over his, “we may find it difficult until we reach Pemberley for too much to happen between us.” She glanced to their daughter. “Little eyes see it all.”

Darcy smiled easily. “That is why we must steal away our moments when we are granted them. Therefore, do not be offended when I instruct you to cease the chatter and kiss your husband with all the love in your heart.”

Her lips lingered over his. “And will you kiss me with all the love in your heart?”

“Absolutely.” His mouth covered hers. He had returned to all that was important in his life.

It was Friday, the first week of October when Darcy and his new family arrived at Pemberley. Darcy’s mind was too full for conversation as they approached his home. As Elizabeth had shown her enthusiasm for Longbourn, his heart leapt with happiness as their carriage made its way to the top of an eminence for one’s first view of the house. Here, at this point, the wood ceased, and his eyes were immediately filled with the pure splendor of Pemberley House. The windows gleamed in the autumn sun, giving the exterior the look of a magical light.

Elizabeth Anne, who sat upon her mother’s lap, whispered in awe, “It is truly a castle, Papa.”

“No, my darling girl, it is simply your home—for as long as you wish to dwell here, Pemberley is yours to enjoy.”

* * *

1 August 1836, Pemberley House

“I ask you to raise your glasses to celebrate the betrothal of my daughter, Miss Elizabeth Anne Darcy, to Hendrix Beckton, 8th Earl Elmhurst. To the future Lord and Lady Elmhurst.”

“To the future Lord and Lady Elmhurst,” all in attendance called in response. His guests then sipped their champagne or their punch, depending upon what propriety permitted, and then turned back to their conversations and greeting old friends.

It was the evening of their annual ball, the one that marked the “supposed” years of their marriage. They were the Darcys, and it had seemed to all involved only appropriate to use their public celebration of their marriage to announce the upcoming joining of their daughter, Elizabeth Anne, to an earl. “Who would have thought the Darcys would align themselves with another earldom?” Elizabeth had said over breakfast on this very day.

After all these years, their public faces remained in place because doing so benefited their family, and family remained their first priority. Traditionally, they celebrated their actual wedding date in a more private manner, which suited Darcy more so than this public display; yet, he would not spoil the moment for his lovely Elizabeth Anne.

It had taken close to eight years of hard work and manipulations for Pemberley to recover from 1816, the “Year Without Summer,” as it had been called in the newsprints. Unfortunately, 1816 had been followed by a series of wet summers and snow remaining as late as July in parts of the Lake District, countered by dry growing seasons the following year. If he had been at Pemberley when the severe weather had set its sights on England, he might have been better prepared for the eventual downfall of agriculture, as he once knew it. In those early years of saving his family’s future, there were days both he and Elizabeth worked the fields around the clock to prove his methods of cultivation viable. He had never heard of another woman like her, and, from all accounts, she was quite “infamous” in that manner, but not for her real “sin” of anticipating her vows.

Fitzwilliam and Georgiana had remained at Rosings for nearly ten years. The Southern shires, in many ways, had had worse weather than Derbyshire, likely because of the extremes from a dry and hot summer in 1818 to frost standing on the ground well into May the following year and snow in October. His sister had borne her husband another son and a daughter, and, from all reports of their life in Oxfordshire, they were quite happy. As Darcy had predicted, while they were still at Rosings Park, Fitzwilliam had served Kent well in the House of Commons, and he now served not only in the Commons for Oxfordshire but also served in the Prime Minister William Lamb, Lord Melbourne’s inner circle.

Elizabeth’s sister Kitty had married John Lucas and was the mistress of Lucas Lodge. She and Lucas had five children. Meanwhile, Miss Mary Bennet had married the son of one of Sheffield’s brothers. Darcy had been pleased to offer Mr. Anthony Sheffield the living at Kympton when it came available. It seemed only fair to keep it in the family. The Sheffields had four children, making Darcy and Elizabeth’s extended family quite large. They both adored the idea.

Unfortunately, for Mrs. Lydia Wickham, after five years of marriage and two more illegitimate children, in addition to those of which she had been made cognizant after her marriage to Lieutenant Wickham, claiming the lady’s husband as father, George Wickham unceremoniously boarded a ship to America, with a promise he would send for his wife once he was settled there. Some nineteen years later, Mrs. Wickham had yet to hear from him. She now resided with her elderly mother in a cottage near Meryton, for which Mrs. Bennet’s sons-in-marriage paid the upkeep. Darcy supposed he and the others would continue to maintain the cottage even after Mrs. Bennet’s passing, for Mrs. Lydia Wickham had few prospects available. Although Mr. Wickham had more children than he should have, Mrs. Wickham was not to know such happiness, and as no one had been able to prove whether the gentleman was dead or alive, Lydia Bennet Wickham was not permitted, by law, to remarry. She had paid a high price for her impetuousness.

Elizabeth’s father had had his ultimate revenge on Mr. Collins. He had outlived the man by nearly five years and had permitted a more deserving branch of the family tree to inherit Longbourn. Mrs. Collins had born her husband three children in the fifteen years they were together: all daughters. Currently, Mrs. Collins served as governess to his Cousin Anne’s children at Rosings Park and was permitted Hunsford Cottage as her residence. He did not know what would happen with Anne’s children no longer required a governess, but that decision was not his to make.

Anne had married the minor son of a marquess, who was happy to permit Fitzwilliam and Georgiana to remain at Rosings while he and Anne enjoyed life on the Continent. From what Darcy had learned from his sister Georgiana, Anne was with her mother in Italy when Lady Catherine took her last breath. Her ladyship’s remains had been returned to England, and Fitzwilliam had them placed in the family cemetery on the estate.

His Aunt and Uncle Matlock had died together in a carriage accident nine years after Darcy had banished them from his life. At Georgiana and Fitzwilliam’s request, Darcy had paid a duty call upon Roland Fitzwilliam, who, according to all who spoke of the new earl, had yet to change his ways. It was the last time he acknowledged his connection to his late mother’s brother.

As to Charles Bingley, Darcy’s former friend had married the Society miss his sisters had insisted upon him taking to wife. From what Darcy had learned in passing, Bingley had run through the fortune his father had left him, bailing out first one sister and then another, not to mention his wife’s family. Moreover, without Darcy’s steady hand on Bingley’s shoulder, the man had made a series of poor investments which had left him near bankruptcy.

Elizabeth slid her hand into his as he watched Elmhurst lead Elizabeth Anne to the dance floor for a waltz. “Who shall be your partner for this dance, Mr. Darcy?” she asked with a tease.

He looked down upon her lovingly. “I promised our daughter Emilia I would partner her for a waltz. She is too young for another to stand up with her, but she should have the practice before she makes her Come Out in the spring.”

“She is seventeen, sir,” his wife protested. “Many girls are married by the time they are sixteen. Moreover, the rules you quote are antiquated. Young girls have been dancing the waltz from the time you were on The Lost Sparro w .”

“My ignorance then,” he said with a twitch of his lips. “Yet, you know I do not wish to part with another daughter so soon. Therefore, at Pemberley, as always, our house ...”

“Your rules,” she said with an easy laugh. “You, sir, are akin to a dinosaur.”

“You are fascinated with dinosaurs,” he countered.

“I am,” she admitted. “Like you, if I had my way, they would each remain at Pemberley forever.”

“And your partner for the first waltz?” he asked, although he knew the answer.

“Bennet means to have his duty done early to his mother and sisters,” she said with a smile. She had born him three more children: Two more daughters and a son.

“You shall save me the supper waltz?” she asked. “I do not wish to dine with another. After all, this is our wedding anniversar y .” She presented him a knowing look.

Darcy smiled down upon her. “I cannot forget the day I threw caution to the wind and raced to Scotland to marry the woman I love. Moreover, you are aware of how fond of dancing I am.” He lifted his brows in a challenge.

“I know,” she said with an answering smile, realizing his lie was meant to tease her. “You love to dance when you find the woman tolerable enough to tempt you.” She went on her toes to kiss him briefly.

“You two require more decorum,” a very masculine voice warned.

“Where is your wife?” Elizabeth said with a smile.

“Jane is speaking to your Rebecca and our Chloe, reminding them that fourteen-year-old young ladies are not allowed to waltz.”

“I just said the same thing of Emilia,” Darcy commiserated.

Albert Sheffield not only owned the bookstore on Park Lane and the one in Brighton, but he had opened three others, nearly as large in Staffordshire, Northumberland, and his home shire of Cumbria. He had purchased a small estate in Richmond for his bride, a gift on their tenth wedding anniversary. They were accepted in all the finer houses and were often-sought-after guests at a variety of house parties.

“I believe I shall join Jane,” Elizabeth said. She squeezed Darcy’s hand and brushed a quick kiss across Sheffield’s cheek.

“Elizabeth Anne is stunning,” Sheffield remarked in pride as they both turned to view their “Lizzy” on the arm of another man.

“So is your Grace,” Darcy admitted.

“I cannot take credit for the look of any of my children,” Sheffield declared. “Charles looks the most like me, but Philip, Rebecca, and Grace favor their mother.” Darcy’s brother-in-marriage chuckled. “Not that I am complaining. Jane’s countenance is still the most compelling face I have ever beheld.”

“We are fortunate men, Albert Sheffield,” Darcy announced.

Sheffield smiled indulgently. “We are just that, sir. We each know the love of a strong-willed woman who crafted both our future and our happiness. We are blessed among men.”

Darcy nodded his agreement. “The only true problem either of us possesses at this moment is losing Lizzy again.”

“Neither of us will ever lose her, Darcy. She carries us in her heart. We were the men by which she judged all her suitors. Elmhurst is the only one who came close to what our girl was searching for in a husband. She will skillfully mend his deficiencies. Just you mark my words. Soon our Lizzy will be sharing tales of her ‘papa’ and her ‘Uncle Albert’ with the next generation.”

“I enjoy your version of the future, Sheffield, better than the one I designed with a gaping hole in my life,” Darcy admitted.

“Just think, old man,” Sheffield said with a pat on Darcy’s back. “Soon you will have grandchildren to spoil. Do you not recall the look on Mr. Bennet’s countenance when he first met our Lizzy Anne?”

“Perfectly so.”

Sheffield smiled. “Soon that look will be upon your countenance. The Darcy legacy will continue because you loved a remarkable woman, and she loved you dearly in return.”

~ Finis ~