Page 93 of Obligation and Redemption

RATHER THAN THE GARDINERS bring their carriage to Darcy House, Darcy planned for Elizabeth and Janette to be taken to Gracechurch Street.

Surprisingly, he accompanied the women to make sure that all was in order and safe for travel.

The transportation was arranged as Mr. Gardiner had promised.

The Gardiner children were to remain at home with their nanny and the house servants, so there would be adequate room in the carriage.

Mr. Darcy said very little to Elizabeth’s relations, but did not depart until the carriage bound for Hertfordshire set out.

Elizabeth said nary a word to him the whole of the morning.

She was stuck between anger at his intrusion into her sister’s happiness and relief to be finally leaving for home.

They pulled up to Longbourn just after the noon hour.

Elizabeth was overwhelmed with emotion upon first seeing her family as each took a turn bestowing hugs and merry greetings.

After time spent in the company of her family – excepting Mary and Mr. Collins who were at the church – and in an excited flurry of admiration for her coat, gown, and bonnet by her younger sisters and mother, she and Jane left to find somewhere private in which to speak.

They laughed and cried, each trying to comfort the other, as loving sisters are wont to do.

Elizabeth could not share her knowledge of Mr. Darcy’s treachery against her own family.

That could not assuage Jane’s sorrows and would only increase her grief to know Elizabeth was married to such a man.

After dinner, Elizabeth went to her father who had been patiently waiting his turn.

If he had fully known her grief, he would have cursed himself for insisting on the marriage; as it was, all of Elizabeth’s attempts to hide her sorrow were in vain.

She had lost weight and no longer had the sparkle in her eyes that had always captivated her dear papa.

They played a game of chess as they had so many times in the past, but neither brooked the subject of Elizabeth’s marriage and wellbeing.

The following morning, Elizabeth woke up at dawn and for the first time in weeks set out on her long-anticipated walk.

She donned a dress that had once been her own, since silk and satin were not befitting the task.

Then she put on her coat that had been specifically bought with the Derbyshire winters in mind.

Her boots were lined with animal fur, so although it was January, she was able to keep comfortably warm.

In fact, she soon became too heated and made note to be less zealous in the future as related to warm clothing on long walks.

Elizabeth was out for about two hours yet still had time to change and prepare for church.

In the afternoon, the family had visitors call.

Several men of the regiment still stationed in Meryton arrived.

Elizabeth was informed that this was a regular occurrence for the young men.

After enjoying tea and cakes, the officers asked if the ladies would like to join them for a walk in the gardens.

Although no flowers were growing and no note-worthy beauty was to be seen, they set out and found pleasure amongst the pathways.

When the men had arrived, Elizabeth was surprised to see Mr. Wickham amongst the group.

Later she was to discover from her father that Mr. Wickham’s debts had been paid, and there was no obvious reason not to let him visit if chaperoned, except for Darcy’s disapproval, which no longer held any weight.

While the other officers entertained Elizabeth’s sisters, Wickham approached her.

Elizabeth was at first uncertain about her loyalties and that perhaps at Mr. Darcy’s previous mandate, she should not entertain the man’s company.

Nevertheless, she soon talked herself into conveniently forgetting his order, for he specifically stated that she could not see him before the marriage had taken place.

Now that this was in the past, and she was secure as Darcy’s bride, what harm could come?

He was a guest of her family’s and in the company of others and a most agreeable and trustworthy gentleman, unlike the many wealthy men from town whom Darcy felt at liberty to thrust into her company.

“Mrs. Darcy, I am happy to see that you no longer spurn my company.” With her look of alarm, he laughed lightly.

“Forgive me. I am well aware of Darcy’s order for you to stay away from me.

I was of course disappointed for I had always enjoyed your companionship, but I knew that you could hardly have done otherwise. ”

“I am happy to know that you forgive me. I so wanted to let you know the reasons for my discourteous behaviour. I valued your opinion of me too much to obey without regret. But it was only right that I followed his wishes.”

“And what about now? Do you still follow his wishes?”

“I cannot bring myself to believe that he would approve of our visit. I imagine that he would be very displeased with the idea; however, he did not specifically request on this trip that I keep my distance from you, and as seeing that we are in the view of the house and with company, there can be no serious objections outside of his dislike for you.”

“Thank you for your faith in me. With my family no longer living, I find that I have few who would overlook the stories of a man who was once as close as any brother, one whose wealth and influence hold more weight than my own character. His father, my godfather and in many ways closest friend, had faith in me, and when he died, I lost all hope of reconciliation with his son. He essentially paid me to leave him and his family alone, you know. Oh, how I miss sweet Georgiana!”

At Elizabeth’s look of astonishment, he said, “Don’t tell me she too has spurned me.”

“I have no idea about her thoughts towards you. I am just surprised at your little description of her. Tell me, did you know her well?”

“I spent much time at the home for her amusement alone. Her father had even alluded to the possibility that one day I might claim her as more than a friend. Mr. Darcy desired that I become a gentleman; he even educated me as such. With Georgiana’s dowry of thirty thousand, I could have one day claimed the life of a gentleman, but after Mr. Darcy’s death, nothing more was said about the idea.

Georgiana was too young at that time to even suggest such a plan to the son.

And now, Darcy has poisoned her against me.

Forgive me for speaking candidly. I see that this must bring you pain. ”

“Why might Mr. Darcy hold to his animosity when his father so clearly loved you?”

“For that very same reason. As I said last autumn, he was jealous of me. As soon as his father died, he sought to remove me from his life and from Pemberley. I received a small pittance for my trouble.” At her disturbed look, he continued, “But I will not have you feeling sorry for me. Perhaps one day you might be able to hasten my return to Pemberley, but until then we will talk no more of the business. Tell me, how has married life treated you? I doubt not that you now have enough jewels to set a family up for life,” he said in jest. Elizabeth did not much care for such musings, as she would freely give up all of those jewels to be back at Longbourn for good.

Their visit continued with no more talk of Darcy and his officious ways.

Wickham charmed Elizabeth with his words of respect and esteem.

He made her feel beautiful and worthy, but was careful not to suggest that his regard was owing to her shapely form or her respective fortune.

Wickham made a point to see her on the following two days.

Elizabeth knew deep down that her husband would not approve, but she hoped to one day convince him to accept the man into his home and family again.

Elizabeth was also careful not to say anything that might lead Wickham to mark the degree of her unhappiness in marriage.

She trusted the man, but she would not dishonour Mr. Darcy in that manner.

Elizabeth could not have known that the perceptive and discerning Mr. Wickham saw in her looks and bearing her true feelings for her husband and was determined to use this information against his adversary.

TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COLLINS WEDDING, Wickham and Elizabeth were strolling in the garden as Elizabeth chaperoned her younger two sisters walking with Carter and Denny, two fellow officers.

Jane and Mary, had gone into town with Mr. Collins, and her mother was with Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Gardiner.

Elizabeth’s father had escaped to his study with Mr. Gardiner for quiet pursuits.

Elizabeth had been thinking it best to forgo Wickham’s company, for her conscience had been telling her that she was in the wrong these past few days, knowing that her husband would not approve of her association with his perceived enemy.

But as this was the day before Darcy’s expected arrival and as her sisters needed a chaperone, and considering no one else was available, she resigned herself to his company one last time.

Wickham had just told her an amusing tale, leaning down to share something in privacy when without warning, Elizabeth’s arm was tugged from behind as she was forcibly brought to a halt and removed from Wickham’s side.

Elizabeth was astonished as she looked to see that her husband had come up from behind and effectively taken control of her.

Darcy’s eyes were ablaze with anger, “Elizabeth, go inside!”She hesitated, looking to Wickham, as if for guidance, but in reality she was fearful about leaving Wickham alone to explain the situation to her incensed husband.“Go inside the house, now!”