Page 122 of Obligation and Redemption

ELIZABETH RECEIVED HER FIRST CALLERS as mistress of Pemberley – indeed as Mrs. Darcy, for no one had visited her at Darcy House.

She suspected that her husband had taken the knocker off the door at Darcy House to avoid anyone meeting his uncouth wife.

She was pleased to be left alone there, for although she enjoyed meeting new people, especially those of interesting character and disposition, she had no desire of being looked down upon.

And she had been diverted concerning her husband’s pretensions and his insecurities, despite his appearances.

However, here at Pemberley in the neighbourhood of her husband’s childhood home, she hoped to make the acquaintance of those with whom she would build lifelong relationships.

After her husband had been gone a week, Elizabeth received a small group of ladies.

Two of the neighbourhood’s predominant women arrived with their daughters, two or perhaps three years older than Elizabeth’s own age, in tow.

Elizabeth had entertained many times at Longbourn and even Gracechurch Street, so she had no qualms about the endeavour in her new residence.

She welcomed the ladies to her home and sought to learn about their history in the neighbourhood and with the Darcy family in general.

She soon realised that their sole purpose in coming was not to greet the new neighbour but to confirm if the spreading rumours held any justice.

The ladies spoke of inconsequential matters – the weather, the current fashions – but then eventually brought the conversation around to her marriage, as she had suspected they might.

“Mrs. Darcy,” said a Miss Ashby, “you cannot imagine our shock to discover that Mr. Darcy had been compelled into marriage. However did you manage such a feat?”

Elizabeth was taken back by such an impolite question, spoken in an unequivocal manner. “Pardon me?”

The ladies laughed into their napkins, “Come Mrs. Darcy, if the rumours are correct, you were able to entice him away from the beautiful Lady Annette. You, who had no dowry, we understand, or title, were able to lure him away from the much sought after Lady Annette. We must know your secrets.”

“It must be difficult for you,” Elizabeth said after a pause, with a concerned look upon her countenance.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, you are seeking to know how someone like me, desperate as I must have been in my oppressive state of singlehood, catches a husband. Have you had much disappointment?”

“I have not been disappointed, nor has Harriett,” said Miss Ashby as she looked to her friend.

“I do apologise. I just assumed that with your age and well, other disadvantages, that you might be experiencing some difficulties with ensnaring a man, yourself.”

“No, I am having no problems with that, I can assure you, Mrs. Darcy.”

“I am glad to hear it. So will you be leaving for town soon?” and so the subject was changed.

Darcy had arrived not five minutes earlier and was searching for his wife.

The butler told him that Elizabeth was entertaining in the drawing room, so Darcy went there to make his presence known.

He heard voices on his way in and stopped at the door to listen.

He was disturbed at his neighbours’ insolent remarks aimed at insulting his wife, but then he heard his wife’s retort and almost laughed outright.

She truly had no moment’s hesitation. Darcy decided to make his presence known in a surprising manner that would be sure to cause talk, for he had perceived there was talk anyway.

Why not give them something amusing to spout to their friends?

“Elizabeth, dear, I see you have met our neighbours,” he said as he entered and then bowed.

“Miss Ashby, Miss Turner, Mrs. Ashby, Mrs. Turner, a pleasure to have you at Pemberley.” Then he walked over to his wife, whose eyes were wide with wonder, trying to determine if he had heard her discourteous remarks.

“Hello, Elizabeth,” said he, with all of the passion he could muster with an audience, and then he leaned over, gazing at her for a brief moment and giving her a quick wink.

Then he reached down to his wife’s hand and brought it to his lips for an obviously sensual and lingering kiss.

“I hope you will excuse us, ladies, as I have just arrived from town and hope to spend some time alone with my wife,” said he without removing his eyes from Elizabeth’s own.

The ladies’ wide eyes and dropped jaws could not belie their shock. They quickly stood, Mrs. Ashby saying, “Mr. Darcy, please forgive us. We had no idea you had just now returned. We would not wish to impose on your generous hospitality.”

“Mrs. Darcy, it was a true honour meeting you, and congratulations on your marriage. Mr. Darcy is a fine man.” The younger women kept silent as they followed their mamas out of the room.

“Please come again,” Elizabeth was heard to say as they made their exit.

After the door was closed behind them, she turned and said to her newly arrived husband, “You are too cruel. I had no idea that you had such a wicked side to your nature.”

“I would not have you think me so.”

She laughed. “Welcome home, Mr. Darcy.”

“Must you call me Mister Darcy? I would be happy for you to call me Darcy as you once did before, or even William, as my family does on occasion.”

“I will reward your amusing entrance by endeavouring to call you Darcy for now on. There, will that suffice?”

“Thank you, Elizabeth. So, tell me about your visit.”

“Apparently, my reputation precedes me.”

“You seemed to handle things well enough.”

“You are not vexed with my insults?”

“I am not at all sure they realised that you had indeed insulted them.”

“How was your trip? Did you achieve all that you desired?”

“For the most part I did, and so I was able to return home before anticipated.” He had not discovered the story behind her secret monetary contributions, but he was determined to learn more in time, even if by a direct question to his wife, but for now, he thought it best to let it go, for he was home and anxious to pick up where they had left off .

THAT NIGHT, THEY ENJOYED DINNER TOGETHER.

Neither would at first admit to the other how much each was missed.

They spoke of many things, extending the meal for much longer than was usual.

Elizabeth told Darcy about each of the tenants whom she had visited, along with little stories meant to amuse and enlighten.

“Elizabeth, I am proud of you.”

“Whatever for?”

“I leave for a week, which could have been longer, and return unexpectedly. In the short time of my absence you have visited fifteen tenant families and accepted a call from a most disagreeable group of would-be Darcys. The two younger ladies have been vying for my attention for years, you know.”

“I did not know, but of course I suspected. You are a most agreeable man and rich as well. So can I expect this to happen often? Young maidens jealous of my position, attempting to usurp me with offensive insults?”

“I am afraid that is your lot, my dear. If it makes you feel any better, I would not have offered for any of them, regardless of their sentiments.”

“Whom would you have offered for?”

“Excuse me?”

“If you had not been ensnared by me, to whom would you have made an offer?”

“Why do you ask, Elizabeth?”

Quietly and with uncertainty she said, “Tell me about her.”

“Who?”

“Lady Annette.”

Darcy took in a deep breath. This was not the conversation he was hoping to have on this, the first evening of his return journey. “Elizabeth, what do you want to know? There is really nothing to tell.”

Elizabeth wanted to know if he loved Lady Annette, if he missed her in his life, if maybe she was still in his life. She summoned her courage then came out with the question that had begun to plague her most. “Did you see her while in town?”

Darcy stood up, then walked over to pull Elizabeth’s chair out. “Come, let us go to our sitting room.”

Elizabeth had a foreboding feeling about her husband’s strange behaviour.

Why do we need to go elsewhere? She stood to follow him, as he took her hand.

She looked up into his eyes and then allowed him to lead her out the door and up to their shared room.

He walked over to the fire and seated her on the settée, then sat beside her, taking her hand again into his.

“Elizabeth, before coming to Hertfordshire, I had been spending a good bit of time with Lady Annette and her family. Her brother, Lord Wexley, went to Cambridge with me. Last Season I had decided that I would make Lady Annette an offer of marriage.” Elizabeth tried to take her hand out of her husband’s but he held on.

“As you say, she is beautiful, accomplished and well-established in society. She would make an excellent match for someone of my standing. She had many suitors but seemed to favour me. Before I could ask for her hand, however, there was a crisis in my family that interfered with my plans. Then her father left for the North, and I would not make a move without his consent. So I waited. When Bingley called me away, I thought it the perfect opportunity to await her father’s return, while limiting the annoying speculation that had already begun on our behalf. ”

Elizabeth turned her head away. She could not determine why his former relationships should affect her so. “You need not tell me any more.”

“When you and I became engaged, I met with her brother to inform him of our understanding and offer my apologies for any disappointment I may have caused.

The next time I saw her was at the ball.

She was understandably disheartened with our marriage, which may be why she was so rude to you.

Yes, I noticed how she behaved, but I also saw that you were able to manage her jealousies on your own.