Page 58 of Missing

Lady Catherine felt as though she could scarcely breathe.

Outraged beyond measure, she was struck speechless; never in her life had she witnessed a more indecent display.

Anne was equally astonished, yet unlike her mother, she was relieved.

Plainly, her long-lost cousin already had a woman in his life, which meant her mother would no longer force her into marriage.

Anne had no desire to wed her cousin or any other man; she wished only to live quietly and in peace.

“FITZWILLIAM DARCY!” cried Lady Catherine, trembling with fury.

For a few blissful seconds, William forgot his aunt’s presence and surrendered wholly to his wife’s kiss.

He cursed his ill fortune; at that moment, he would have given anything to be alone with Elizabeth.

At last, he broke the kiss, whispered a word in her ear, and, offering his arm, led her towards his aunt and cousin.

“Lady Catherine, allow me to introduce my wife. This is Mrs Elizabeth Dalton. My dear, this is Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my late mother’s sister, and her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh,” William said with studied formality, though inwardly amused by the horror and disgust on his aunt’s countenance.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Catherine, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth said, blushing. She had imagined they were alone and now regretted her ardour.

Lady Catherine stared at Elizabeth from head to toe and could not bring herself to return the civility. Anne, however, offered a faint smile, careful that her mother should not see it.

“Mrs Dalton, I presume you are aware that my nephew and daughter have been betrothed since infancy. It was both my sister Anne’s and my greatest wish that our children should one day marry.

I trust you have the decency not to stand in their way,” Lady Catherine said coldly.

“Moreover, I hope you comprehend that you married a tradesman who does not exist, and not the heir of Pemberley.”

Elizabeth glanced at her husband, uncertain how to answer. Until that instant, it had not occurred to her that William’s new identity might endanger their marriage.

“Lady Catherine, I must request that you never repeat those words. My father and your brother, Lord Matlock, know perfectly well where I stand. I regret to inform you that no one—not even my mother Violet, whom I revere—has the right to decide for me. What you or Lady Anne may have planned is your concern, not mine. So permit me to state plainly, for I shall not repeat it: I love my dear wife Elizabeth Dalton, and if ever I am to be Fitzwilliam Darcy, she shall be Elizabeth Darcy,” William declared with emphasis.

“How dare you speak thus to your aunt! The merchant family who raised you clearly failed to teach you manners or values,” Lady Catherine retorted.

“My adoptive parents taught me to respect the opinions of others, to value people for what they are and not for what they possess, and never to enter a house uninvited,” William replied.

Then, seeing his cousin’s mortification, he added more gently, “I beg your pardon, Miss de Bourgh; I did not mean to be uncivil to you.”

“Do not concern yourself, Mr Dalton; I understand,” Anne whispered. But under her mother’s watchful eye, she said no more.

Elizabeth, perceiving her husband’s agitation, gave his hand a gentle squeeze to prevent the quarrel from escalating.

Yet Lady Catherine was not one to be silenced. “In any case, your opinion is of no consequence. You shall do as your father commands, or he will disinherit you,” she said triumphantly.

“With the fortune I inherited from my father, Aaron Dalton, I possess all that is required to provide for my wife and future children,” William replied defiantly.

“My Lady, I believe it would be best not to pursue this matter further,” Elizabeth attempted, but Lady Catherine continued for several minutes, impervious to reason.

Fortunately, another arrival interrupted her. “Good afternoon, Dalton, Mrs Dalton. I hope I do not intrude upon anything important, but I have come to deliver a message for Lady Catherine,” Richard said.

“Fitzwilliam! How dare you appear uninvited when I am engaged with my nephew and this woman who presumes to be his wife?” Lady Catherine thundered.

“I should have liked to announce myself to my friend Dalton and his distinguished wife. But since you yourself came unannounced, I must do the same, for I carry a message from uncle George,” Richard replied.

“I care not for your explanations. You are not welcome here, and you had best depart at once.”

“Considering this is my house, I believe I am the one who decides who is welcome,” William said, half surprised and half amused.

“Am I welcome, Dalton?” Richard asked with a smile.

“I do not know; let me consult my wife. My dear, is Colonel Fitzwilliam welcome?”

“Always,” Elizabeth replied with a radiant smile.

“You see, Aunt, I am indeed welcome. Now let me deliver my message.”

“I care neither for your welcome nor for your message, Fitzwilliam. If you continue to interrupt me, I swear you shall never again be invited to Rosings.”

Richard nearly laughed, for his aunt’s threat was no punishment—Rosings being, in his view, the dullest place in England. Yet, for Anne’s sake, he restrained himself.

“Uncle George instructed me to tell you that if you do not leave his son in peace, he will never again assist you with your troubles. And you know, Aunt, he always keeps his promises.”

“I shall not be intimidated!” Lady Catherine exclaimed.

“Nevertheless, that is his decision, and I was bid to remind you of it. If you wish, I shall report back that you refused to be intimidated. But I daresay uncle George will not be moved,” Richard concluded with a triumphant smile.

Lady Catherine faltered, then, without another word, swept from the room. Anne rose quickly to follow, but first she paused to curtsey. “Mr and Mrs Dalton, I beg your pardon for all that has passed. Richard, thank you for coming.”

“Pray, do not trouble yourself, Miss de Bourgh,” William and Elizabeth answered with compassion. They were sincerely sorry for her; she seemed mortified by her mother’s rudeness, yet relieved when she left.

Richard explained that his father had warned George Darcy of Lady Catherine’s intentions just as he himself was visiting Darcy House. Seeing his uncle’s poor health, he had offered to intervene. He also reassured them that Anne was nothing like her mother—quite the reverse.

Elizabeth, fatigued by travel and vexation, excused herself and withdrew. While she was gone, Richard privately told William that Lord Matlock was repentant for his harsh words of a few days before and begged that Dalton forget them.

“And why this sudden change of heart?” William asked with surprise.

“Your father told him that if he did not leave you to make your own decisions, he would withdraw all assistance. My father and Lady Catherine depend heavily on uncle George’s support, so they dare not cross him,” Richard explained.

“Before I go, I entreat you to see your father. His health has been fragile for the past year, and all these disturbances only worsen it. Believe me, he often speaks rashly and then repents.”

After further conversation, Richard departed for Darcy House to report the matter settled.

William went at once to Elizabeth’s room. Taking her into his arms, he kissed and caressed her, pouring out all the affection of which his heart was full. They rejoiced in being together again, and love soon overcame every other thought.

Later, as they lay in each other’s arms, they spoke of all that had transpired during their separation. William was thankful that Mrs Bennet’s health was improving and grateful to his mother for remaining to assist her, thus enabling Elizabeth to return.

They also discussed his situation. Elizabeth urged him not to close his heart to his father. “My love, I believe your father sincerely desires reconciliation. Do not judge him by the harshness of your aunt or uncle; it would be unjust.”

“You may be right. Will you come with me tomorrow to speak with him?” William asked.

“Of course, my love. You know I shall support you in all things.”

“Thank you, my beautiful Elizabeth. But for now, let us set aside these troubles. I wish only to enjoy my wife’s love.”

“I love you, William, and I missed you so much.”

“And I missed you, my sweet love.”

Thus saying, William kissed her again, and they gave themselves up once more to love. The remainder of the day, they spent in Elizabeth’s chamber, speaking tenderly of themselves and of all the trials that lay before them.

◆◆◆

William and Elizabeth visited Mr Darcy several times in the following days and succeeded in establishing a relationship of mutual respect and friendship with him.

Elizabeth was deeply moved to learn how much the gentleman had suffered since his son’s disappearance, and she entreated William to be patient with his father.

Though William could, with reason, acknowledge George Darcy as his father and recognise his goodness, he could not look upon him with the admiration he had once felt for Aaron Dalton.

Yet he knew that affection would take time to grow, and he was willing to allow Mr Darcy the place of a father.

At least neither Lady Catherine nor Lord Matlock intruded upon him again, which made everything more bearable.

Lord Matlock wrote to William with an explanation of his previous words, but William ignored the letter.

He understood, however, that pursuing that quarrel further might cause difficulties with his cousins, and so he preferred to maintain a cold distance from his uncle.

He decided not to burden Elizabeth with it, wishing to spare her unnecessary anxiety.