Page 164 of Obligation and Redemption
“Mama! Of course Mr. Darcy is the father! How can you think that I would do such a thing? Wickham is a villain and should not be trusted. I believe Mr. Darcy wrote to Papa telling him of the man’s corruption and deceit.”
“Yes, your father told me, but I had to ask myself. Don’t take offence, my dear.
I meant no harm. Mr. Wickham was so charming, and your husband, so severe.
” Then a few moments later the conversation continued on, shocking Elizabeth even more.
“I do hope you carry your husband’s heir, for your sake.
And at least until the baby comes, you are able to make excuses for retirement. ”
Elizabeth was afraid to ask and felt it best not to know what her mother could mean.
However, her mother’s cause only gained momentum.
“I am sure by now you know that men desire more than what a gently-born lady can provide by way of corporeal attentions. To your benefit, Mr. Darcy can afford an alternative. As I have said before, all great men have mistresses, and I would bet my pin money for a month that Mr. Darcy has one in town. I know he has one near his aunt’s home, for Mr. Collins said so. ”
“Madam!” came a deep baritone voice from behind them startling both the older woman and Elizabeth.
“You know not of what you speak. I demand that you cease filling my wife’s head with tales of despicable behaviour that have no basis in truth.
Your son-in-law, Mr. Collins, has no understanding and is spreading lies that besmirch my character.
I insist that you keep your misplaced assumptions and unverified lies to yourself.
If you were a man, I would have to call you out for such a speech. ”
Elizabeth was mortified that Darcy had to witness her own mother’s uncouth remarks. The sad truth was that her mother likely saw no harm in her words.
“Mr. Darcy! I intended no disrespect! Oh my, I just meant that men of your means have…”
“Silence, woman!” Then looking to his wife, his countenance softened.
“Elizabeth, my love, please go inside.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew large, as she knew not what her husband would then say to her mother.
She was not to find out; however, from that point forward, she never heard a disparaging remark from her mother about her husband, herself, or her marriage.
Mrs. Bennet, at least while the Darcys were in residence, with obvious trial, held her tongue much to everyone’s surprise and considerable comfort.
And although it took away some of Mr. Bennet’s entertainment, he was happy to see that his favourite daughter found peace while at home.
When Mr. Collins and Mary arrived for the festivities the week of the wedding, Elizabeth’s sister showed open judgement on Darcy.
Elizabeth had written her to correct her mistaken intelligence on the matter, but apparently she had not believed her.
Elizabeth was ashamed of her family’s cold welcome towards her husband, but Darcy was quick to soothe her, for who at Longbourn could compare to his own relations?
The benefit was that Mr. Collins kept his distance from the “dishonourable” couple, giving them the pleasure of time alone in the gardens or shrubbery where they were enthusiastic in their explorations of the many places to hide in togetherness amongst the boughs.
One afternoon, while Mr. Bennet sat in his study, he heard a knock upon the door.
After bidding entrance, Darcy walked in and requested an audience.
“I wondered how long it would take for you to tire of talk of frippery and lace. As there are few places to provide sanctuary, I expected your arrival at some point and fairly suspected it would be sooner than this.”
After sitting down, Darcy began, “I rather thought I was paying my due. I feel that I deserve whatever trials come by such domestic clamouring .” At his father-in-law’s raised brow, he continued, “In truth, I came to, well, to offer my sincerest apologies that are long overdue.” Darcy shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with admitting his faults, but determined to make amends.
“I arrived at Longbourn that day last autumn and offered for your daughter’s hand in marriage, completely confident in my own merits and Elizabeth’s deficiencies.
I thought that she was to receive all of the benefits of such a union.
I am certain that you laughed at me and my conceit,” he pondered.
“But no, how could you laugh when such a man as I was to marry your daughter?
“I have since come to regret my arrogance at your family’s expense.
Your gracious daughter taught me her true worth.
I am indeed indebted to her! Elizabeth was instrumental in my improvement.
By her I was properly chastened. I came to you without a doubt of your family’s inferiority and my self-importance, but Elizabeth showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to deserve a woman as worthy as she. ”
“Mr. Darcy, it takes a strong man to admit his shortcomings.”
“On the contrary, sir. It is through my weaknesses that I have been able to see clearly to my faults. Admitting them to you has been the least challenging part of the business. With your daughter by my side, I feel as though I am becoming a better man.”
“I see that Lizzy has indeed improved in your estimation?”
“It has been many weeks since I have admired – more than that – have loved Elizabeth. You once compared her to the divine, and I thought you foolish. Now I see I was the fool, yet again.” Darcy sat in contemplation as Mr. Bennet watched on, not daring to interrupt such a heartfelt and entertaining speech, hoping there was more to come.
He was not disappointed. “She called me a fool once, while teasing, you see, but her intentions were clear. You were correct when you said that there was no other woman in England who could match Elizabeth’s estimable qualities.
I now say none within the whole of the Kingdom.
She is without equal, and she is mine.” Darcy provided a broad smile to Elizabeth’s astonished father as he contemplated the woman with whom he was joined for life.
He could not help himself, so happy was he.
“I see. So, does that mean that Elizabeth is now more than tolerable? I would hate for you to find such exceptional qualities joined to a face lacking charms. But then, to have such perfection in person and character united cannot be common.”
“Mr. Bennet, your daughter is extraordinary in every way; I do not deserve her love, but she has bestowed it upon me nonetheless. I will forever spend my life repenting of my behaviour the first few months of our marriage.”
“As Elizabeth has forgiven you, I suppose I have no choice. She is happy, more so than I have ever seen her. I cannot deny it.” Mr. Bennet then reached over across his desk from where he had been sitting and shook Darcy’s hand.
“Welcome to our family, Darcy. We are honoured to have you. Of course, Mr. Collins will remain as my favourite son-in-law, but I believe that one day you may surpass him, if what I hear about your library at Pemberley is an accurate account.”
“You are most welcome to our home whenever you wish to make the journey, to town or Pemberley.” A comfortable silence then set the stage for mutual reflection upon the path to their current felicity until a smirk crossed the face of Darcy’s father-in-law.
“My Lizzy called you a fool, eh?”
THE DAY OF THE WEDDING ARRIVED with a rush of excitement.
Elizabeth had chosen, much to her husband’s vexation, to stay at Longbourn the night before the nuptials, to be there for her dearest sister.
Elizabeth had promised Janette’s masterful talents to be practised upon Jane, not that she needed any such expertise to highlight her graceful beauty.
While Jane wore a dress to match the blush of her cheeks, Elizabeth wore a lavender silk creation covered with a sheer, white overlay.
As her bosom was now even more ample than usual, she chose a squared neckline that highlighted the pearl necklace her husband had presented to her near Christmastime, while in town.
They each manifested a picture of comeliness not often witnessed outside the enhanced portraits hanging upon the walls of society’s drawing rooms. Each carried a bouquet of white roses with lavender and thyme interspersed within to mark the virtue and courage so often witnessed by their beaux.
Elizabeth stood up with her sister, as Jane had wanted, but only after much pleading on her sister’s part. Elizabeth was embarrassed to stand in front of the church in obvious gravid display; however, her husband had the final say and exerted his right as husband to insist she acquiesce.
“Darcy, what are your relations doing here?” asked a puzzled Elizabeth as the Fitzwilliams entered the church.
“Hmm? Oh, perhaps they considered your sister family enough to attend.”
“I think not, since if I remember correctly, they missed my own wedding. I will greet them and find out the truth.”
“No, my dear, you can speak after the wedding, it is time to take our places.”
After Bingley and Jane had spoken their vows, however, Elizabeth was completely taken by surprise. As the newly married couple stepped aside, Darcy took the two steps over to his wife and took her hands in his, saying, “My dearest Elizabeth, will you do me the greatest honour of marrying me?”
Elizabeth’s eyes became like saucers as she looked up into his face. “What can you mean, Darcy? Are we not already married?” She leaned in close to finish, saying, ”I certainly hope so, for we have a baby between us.”