Page 140 of Obligation and Redemption
I have missed you and must wonder why you have not joined your husband on his annual trip to Rosings.
I thought you would want to see me and my new home, but perhaps Mr. Darcy had not included you for a reason.
I dislike the news that I feel obligated to share with you, but this is what comes of sinful impurity, for the Bible says in Ephesians that sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not be among us, as is proper among saints – that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or is covetous has no inheritance in the kingdom of God.
God’s judgement might now be affecting you and your peace.
Mr. Collins was at Rosings earlier this week and came rushing home to tell me the most shocking tale.
Then I too was invited for tea and also enlightened as to the truth of his claims. His patroness, Mr. Darcy’s own aunt, entrusted Mr. Collins with the secret sin that now ensnares your husband.
She said that Mr. Darcy has a mistress that he keeps near Rosings and whom he visits at least once a year to her certain knowledge, but likely more.
They have a child together, a son, who favours him and precludes all doubt as to his parentage.
Lady Catherine told Mr. Collins the scandalous news, I believe, so that I could warn you to keep vigilant care to satisfy Mr. Darcy’s lustful inclinations.
He will not inherit the Kingdom of God if he continues on in his sinful state, and it is our duty to free him of the chains that bind him.
The shameful woman was once highly regarded at Hunsford, for she once dwelt in this very house as daughter to the former rector!
I am certain that I may not be able to sleep tonight with the thought.
How easily a woman of virtue can slide into disgrace.
At least Mr. Darcy married you and saved you from your ignominy, so that now you can find salvation, but not this girl who continues in sin.
Last night we were invited to Rosings, and I myself saw his discomfort when the name of his mistress was mentioned, a Miss Wainwright, otherwise known as Mrs. Wright, since her fall from grace.
I will pray that the woman and her illegitimate son are driven away from our God-fearing neighbourhood.
Although my husband was sworn to tell no one of Mr. Darcy’s defiling behaviour, I cannot in good conscience remain silent when I can help you to see the truth of his dishonour.
Your sister,
MC
“What can she mean writing me such a letter!” exclaimed Elizabeth out loud.
“There can be no merit to this!” Elizabeth began her internal re-evaluation of her husband’s character and could not reconcile this letter with her experience.
But the longer she considered the unlikelihood of its having any basis in truth, the more she began to doubt him.
Had he not treated her as an object of lust in the past?
If he had a child with this woman, he would have seduced her years ago, at a much younger and less judicious age.
He might even now regret his behaviour, but if this were the case, might he also now continue his obligation to her while enjoying the fruits of his past debauchery?
But perhaps if he did have a child with this woman, he no longer wants to see her.
He is married to me now; would he not give her up in light of this?
But then why is he going to Rosings without telling me?
And didn’t Lady Catherine allude to his taking a mistress when she attempted to thwart our wedding plans at Longbourn?
Elizabeth could not find peace as her mind continued to condemn him more readily as the morning continued on.
She pictured him in another woman’s embrace, kissing and touching her as he had kissed her most recently.
It had been days since Elizabeth had actually lost her breakfast, but she could not stop the nausea that had crept into her stomach.
She ran into her dressing room and grabbed a chamber pot.
Wiping her mouth with the handkerchief that she had nestled up her sleeve that morning, she got a whiff of her husband’s scent that she had just reapplied before attending breakfast. This time, the smell held no allure for her.
She threw it down onto the floor and staggered back into her room and crawled onto the bed.
Elizabeth did not want to believe her husband could be guilty of such dishonourable behaviour, but it was Darcy’s aunt who told her sister.
For what reason would she say such a thing if there were no truth to be found?
Even if there were but partial truth, would that not show him to be a different man than she had envisioned? How can I bear to see him again?
AFTER AN EXTENDED TIME IN HER ROOM, Elizabeth decided to go out again for another walk.
She had already been out earlier that morning, but needed to work off her distress with exertion.
She had always found a good walk to be just the thing to help her towards a rational response.
Elizabeth had considered avoiding her walks while Lord Langston was in residence, but her uneasiness required that she expend some energy; and with Clark in attendance, she felt safe, for the footman was almost the size of her husband and seemed more like a bodyguard at times than an unassuming, pleasing companion.
So she summoned Clark to join her yet again.
The day was especially warm for the season, and the sun was shining brightly, so Elizabeth was able to get away with only a spencer jacket for her warmth.
“Are we to bring the puppy?” asked Clark before heading out.
“No, not this time. I believe we wore poor Charlie out earlier today. I spent more time carrying him than not, and what I need most is a long and arduous walk. I hope you are ready for some exertion,” she said with a waning smile.
“Yes, ma’am.As you wish.”
And so Elizabeth and Clark headed out in the usual direction. They spoke little on their journey as Elizabeth attempted to work out how her husband could be blameless despite the information relayed in her sister’s letter.
When the two had departed, neither noticed the viscount watching from his window.
He had seen them together often and suspected the handsome footman was taking advantage of Darcy’s absence.
Elizabeth seemed plenty happy to be in the company of the servant, this being the second occasion to be alone today.
The viscount laughed as he considered that it was not just men who took advantage of the availability of servants.
However, today would not go as the footman might have intended.
Langston summoned a mount to be prepared and quickly set out after them.
The viscount was surprised at how far the two had travelled on foot before he was able to overcome them.
They were at least three miles from the manor house, which suited the viscount well enough for his purposes.
He approached them, noticeably startling Elizabeth.
“Hello, Mrs. Darcy; I did not mean to interrupt.” He looked to the footman in unfeigned judgement as to his suspicions regarding the encounter.
“Clark always accompanies me on my walks, when my husband is not available that is. Mr. Darcy insists on his presence wherever I go. ”
“As Darcy has charged me as your protector while he is away, I can take over from here.” Then he looked to the footman, “Clark, is it? You may leave us. I will see to Mrs. Darcy’s safety.”
Neither missed the look of panic on Elizabeth’s countenance. “No, Clark, I wish for you to stay. Surely a woman cannot have too many men at her disposal. Perhaps you could give the viscount and me a little distance, but your presence is most welcome.”
Langston turned his attention back to Elizabeth, “Now, Elizabeth, surely there can be no occasion for taking up your servant’s time when he could be needed at the house.
I insist that he leave us to ourselves. We have much to talk about, do we not?
I will return you to the house before long.
Susan was hoping to explore the gardens with you. Clark, you are excused.”
Elizabeth hated to put the servant in a difficult position but could not bear being left alone with Langston who would most certainly take advantage of their solitude.
If Clark stayed, he risked disciplinary action by the viscount who was charged by Darcy himself with her safety.
Her husband had specifically sanctioned Langston’s escort.
Clark also thought through this but then continued the possible scenario.
If he were to leave Mrs. Darcy alone with the viscount, he would be responsible for any acts of aggression that the viscount might press upon his mistress.
He could not miss the licentious look in the nobleman’s eyes, despite the woman’s being the wife of his cousin.
Clark wavered, unsure of what to do, but Langston had a plan.
“Clark, I know you would hate for me to tell your employer that I found you out here in an inappropriate embrace with his wife. I have no doubt you would lose your position and be left without a reference. As a matter of fact, I am quite certain that Darcy would destroy you and your future hopes.”
“Langston, you would not get away with such a lie. Darcy would not believe you. Clark has always been a faithful servant, and my husband trusts him implicitly.”