Page 81 of Obligation and Redemption

For everything there is a season…

A time to weep, and a time to laugh

Elizabeth sat at her vanity as she prepared for the day ahead.

She had wanted to remain in her chamber for the whole of the following day, but duty required that she make a showing for Boxing Day in order to participate in the distribution of gifts to the servants.

Her husband had reminded her more than once of her obligations for the day.

Because Janette was off for the holiday, Elizabeth was left with the task of hiding the remnants of a sleepless night alone.

The previous evening’s events had left Elizabeth in considerable distress.

She felt vulnerable to Langston and had no one whom she trusted to safeguard her from his advances.

Her husband would not believe her over his own cousin; he still thought her guilty of manipulating the situation that eventually led to their marriage.

Today would try her ingenuity as she performed as mistress of Mr. Darcy’s homes bestowing benevolence and kindness on his servants when her life now brought her fear and misery.

At the beginning of their marriage, Elizabeth had determined to do her very best in fulfilling her role as Mrs. Darcy by learning how to manage his homes and being the model of propriety.

Although she had conflicting desires to what her new life entailed, she tried to swallow her pride and accept the changes, which came with daily challenges.

However, her encounter the previous evening with Lord Langston demonstrated her vulnerability and inability to mesh into Mr. Darcy’s world.

His family mocked her, his cousin even going so far as to threaten her in his contempt and perfidiousness.

And Elizabeth had no one to share that burden or to provide protection.

She could not worry dear Jane or anyone else with her disheartening predicament.

But Elizabeth was not made for trepidation.

She had a role to play despite her uneasiness, so she continued her preparations as she attempted to hide her weariness.

Darcy gave little thought to the previous evening, owing Elizabeth’s hasty retreat to her discomfort and antipathy towards his family.

Eventually, she would learn their ways and realise the great chasm between her and his noble relations and how they had so generously condescended to recognise her place in his life.

Certainly they were a little hard on Elizabeth upon first meeting her, yet they were obviously attempting to get to know her and show kindness to her.

Darcy was especially surprised at Langston’s show of cordiality prior to leaving.

Darcy had always known him to be the epitome of class distinction, much like his aunt Catherine; nonetheless, Langston was attempting to assist Elizabeth in her discomfort, for which Darcy was grateful.

The couple spent the day with the servants, which helped Elizabeth to focus on other people’s needs.

The afternoon was full of entertainment for the staff.

While the Darcys did not need to linger, Elizabeth found the activity soothing to her anxious spirit, so she remained with the servants, as did Darcy, for his wife’s sake.

That night, Elizabeth awoke with a start, as she would during many nights over the course of the next few months.

She had been dreaming of a peaceful morning at Longbourn, when she would have awoken at dawn and taken pleasure in a ramble to Oakham Mount, a favourite haunt of hers, before her family had assembled for breakfast. Elizabeth had been running along the path, as was her want, when she was unexpectedly intercepted by Lord Langston.

On this occasion, he had almost collided with her while on horseback.

Jumping down from his mount, he grabbed hold of her around the waist. The vile man began quietly taunting her with words of provocation as his hands made their explorations.

Elizabeth was unable to scream, nor was she capable of removing herself from his unyielding hold.

Langston laughed as he continued his attack, which ended only in her finally being able to rouse herself from sleep, but not until after a most tormenting assault.

In a panic, Elizabeth looked around the room trying to determine where she was and if her captor were still present.

Upon seeing that she was alone and in her room at Darcy House, Elizabeth’s breathing calmed as she let her tears fall.

The dream had seemed so real just moments before, and Elizabeth wondered if she would revisit the scene if she were to give in to her overwhelming need for slumber.

After an hour of trying to remain awake, Elizabeth finally dosed off again but could not find the peace that sleep would customarily grant her.

DARCY PLANNED TO TAKE ELIZABETH and Georgiana to the opera to see Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which had been much anticipated.

Elizabeth donned yet another new gown, one of her favourites, pink silk with squared bodice that was tasteful if a little daring for Elizabeth’s sensibilities.

As they made their way to the recently restored Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Elizabeth spoke of her previous visits before the recent fire, her first to see the pantomime clown, Joseph Grimaldi, when she was but seventeen.

This would be her first time there since the theatre reopened three months previously, and Elizabeth was delighted to see it restored to its former grandeur.

When the carriage pulled up to Tromwell House to collect Georgiana, Elizabeth was taken back when, after Georgiana entered and sat next to her brother, Lord Langston climbed in sitting next to herself.

“Darcy, how good of you to allow me to intrude on your evening. Mrs. Darcy, I hope you don’t mind my joining you.”

Elizabeth felt sickened and without words to respond, but found her voice. “I had no knowledge of your joining us until this moment.”

Then Darcy said, “Elizabeth, I was so pleased when Langston expressed his wish to come with us. His public acceptance of you will go far to help your entry into London society. Many will see his presence as a sign of his family’s support of our marriage. Are you not pleased?”

Elizabeth looked away out the dark window and said, “It seems too good to be true.” With the little light in the carriage Elizabeth hoped no one could see her distress.

Meanwhile, the viscount began rubbing his leg and foot up against hers, antagonising her with his presence.

Rather than quail, Elizabeth became indignant at his offensive perfidy at her expense.

The short ride to the opera house seemed an eternity to Elizabeth, especially because of the long line inching towards the theatre entrance.

Finally they were able to alight from the carriage, though it was not Darcy’s hand that let her down, or the footman as usual, but Lord Langston’s.

Elizabeth could not ignore the courtesy, since she could not risk slighting him in front of the vast number of people already collected at the door who were observing them with unfeigned curiosity.

She released his hand, perhaps sooner than was proper and quickly stepped over to her husband, instinctively taking his arm.

Elizabeth coveted his protection whether he knew of her need or not.

Darcy was a little surprised by Elizabeth’s meagre but pronounced show of affection, especially in light of their audience, but without thought reached over and put his hand on top of hers. Elizabeth hardly noticed amidst her feelings of umbrage against Darcy’s cousin.

This time, the journey through the crowd to Darcy’s private box took far longer than before, for they had appeared during the peak arrival time, as was fashionable, so that there would be plenty of people to see them upon entrance.

Elizabeth was introduced to each of Darcy’s acquaintances who were bold enough to approach him.

Elizabeth was almost surprised to see that familiar, yet almost forgotten, look of hauteur that fell upon Darcy’s visage once leaving the theatre vestibule where they had divested themselves of their outer garments.

By the time they had reached Darcy’s box, Elizabeth had developed a healthy appreciation for her husband’s imposing demeanour that she had at one time berated.

They were still stopped by many fellow patrons eager to meet the new Mrs. Darcy, but most just stared behind open fans whispering to one another their thoughts of approbation or criticism.

Elizabeth was to learn that this was to become the usual sequence of events as a Darcy.

She had never felt so exposed in her life.

When they reached the box, Elizabeth attempted to sit on the end, knowing that Darcy would of course sit next to her; however before she could, Georgiana sat down in her intended seat and led her brother to her side, “Brother, oh please sit next to me, so we can share the music like we have before.”

He moved over to the seat and while standing motioned for Elizabeth to join him.

“Elizabeth you may sit on the other side of me, if that pleases you.” She had no choice but to concede to the plan and so sat to Mr. Darcy’s right.

Langston gloated his triumph at causing Elizabeth distress as he sat to her right, but to the others the look appeared as a show of contented acquiescence.

This production could not give her pleasure as the previous outing to see Twelfth Night had, but Elizabeth wryly thought the theme of Don Giovanni apropos for the occasion.