Page 57 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
He replied with diffidence. “Pemberley is a large estate and always needs strong men who work hard. Besides, I needed to know Tommy was safe. He is almost seven now.”
“So there is yet another family that is under your protection…”
“And under yours, Mrs Darcy,” he replied then turned and embraced her.
“What a story…”Elizabeth kept whispering.
“I am so sorry that you had to hear all this…and I am so grateful and astonished that you found the generosity to not be more upset with me. I was afraid that—”
“William, I am glad you trusted me enough to reveal such truths to me. I know very well that a wife has no right to inquire, not even about her husband’s present and even less about his past, just as I know very well that most men have a past—as well as a present—outside their marriage!
You could have silenced me on this subject, and there was nothing I could have reproached you for. ”
Her voice was trembling with distress and embarrassment, and her cheeks were burning. He slowly turned her to face him. They gazed at each other—both of them dark, worried, wondering, and hoping. He tenderly cupped her face with his hands.
“Elizabeth, I wish nothing more than to make this marriage a happy one. I do have a past—like most men of my age—but I do not have a present outside of our marriage . I have a beautiful, bright, and most amazing wife—and that is the only thing I am interested in.”
“Besides your thousand duties,” she teased him with no little emotion. She laid her head on his chest, and his arms tightened around her.
“And now Annabelle is Lady Stafford. Does she chase after all the men with whom she has been closely acquainted, or does she only favour you with this special treatment?”
“Two and half years ago, she married Lord Stafford—who was in his seventies and had no close family. He passed away, and Annabelle returned to Town. She has a name, significant means, and a house—and she became friendly with James. I suspect she loaned him money for his gaming. What she wants I could not say, but she is impertinent and seemed vindictive to my aunt and uncle. And she keeps sending me notes to call on her. The first ones I did not read, but one evening—about three weeks ago I think—she came here.”
“She came here? How can that be?”
“My shock was no less than yours. She said she now has everything she needs except for my company. She insisted she loved nobody but me.”
His embarrassment was apparent, and Elizabeth blushed.
“I asked her to stop making a fool of herself and to take care of her own life. I assured her that any connection between us was impossible. She balanced between impertinence, threats, and begging, and finally I had to insist that she leave.”
“That was before you proposed to me.”
“Yes, a few weeks before. One evening I found her in front of the house. I had to enter her carriage for a moment and to promise I would call on her one of these days. I am sure she intentionally met us in the park yesterday with that fool James, and today she approached you at the modiste and—”
“I remember the evening with the carriage; I saw you from the window. And I heard you talking with the colonel in the library about Annabelle.”
“I am sorry—that was a silly and improper discussion. I shall take care of you, Elizabeth.”
This time she rose and moved near him, then daringly took hold of his hands.
“I know you will take care of me, but I am certainly not afraid of Lady Stafford. I confess I was distressed about the subject, and even more so when I saw your reluctance to speak of her. But now I understand why. Since I know the truth, I am well capable of bearing it.”
“Had she been offensive to you earlier today? Perhaps we should change modiste, or I shall arrange that, for the time being, someone will come to our home when you need to order new gowns. And I will make sure to be always with you when you go out. I still hope to see a little reason in Annabelle and that she finally finds a life of her own. Besides, we will go to Pemberley soon. I truly wish to have some peaceful time…wi th you alone.”
“I look forward to going to Pemberley but not because someone wishes to bother us. And yes, she attempted to offend and upset me. She implied that she was still intimate with you. She said you married me because I was shy and submissive, and you would always have your way with me—and that the Matlocks accepted me because they wished to separate you from her. I am not certain about the Matlocks’ motivation, but calling me shy and submissive was rather ridiculous, and it made me angry more than anything. If not…”
She took a break to breathe.
“Yes…?” he encouraged her to continue.
“William, I try very hard to be a good Mrs Darcy. I am careful and concerned for your name—our name—for our sister Georgiana, and for everything that is under my care. That is why I struggle not to behave as Elizabeth Bennet would sometimes be tempted to do. However, if either Mr Bingley’s sisters or Lady Anybody ever attempts to offend me or take me for a fool, I am afraid my patience and my good manners will evade me.
After all, I have been Elizabeth Bennet for one and twenty years and Mrs Darcy for only a week. ”
“There is nothing you must change, nor must you allow anyone to put you in uncomfortable situations. I wish to see all of Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s traits together with Mrs Elizabeth Darcy’s excellent qualities.”
He wrapped her in an admiring gaze and removed a lock from her temple.
“You are such an amazing woman, Elizabeth. I do not believe any other man married for a week could share such terrible stories with his young wife and be rewarded with so much strength, warmth, and understanding. I know you are troubled by all these things—anyone would be—and that you could not forget so easily the horrible offenses brought by my aunt. And your wisdom in stepping through it amazes me.”
“I am troubled and upset, but it is easy to be strong now that you have shared the truth with me. I feel much better that, besides your promise to protect me, you gave me the strength of the truth and proved to me that I have your trust and your respect.”
“I am very proud and grateful to be your husband, Mrs Darcy.” His dark gaze and solemnity made her shiver.
“Now—after tormenting you for so many hours and discovering once again how much I have to improve to be worthy of you, would you do me the honour of joining me in a dinner to celebrate our seventh day of marriage?”