Page 81 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

I t was full daylight when Elizabeth awoke, and she was alone in the bed. She allowed herself a few long moments to recollect the previous night. She still felt her husband’s warmth on her body and the trace of his kisses on her lips.

As she started to dress, Jane entered, smiling lovingly. Elizabeth embraced her, ashamed to admit that she was disappointed for it not being her husband.

“Lizzy dearest, I dared to disturb you because I saw Mr Darcy downstairs with Uncle.”

“I am happy to see you Jane; I shall be ready in a moment.”

The sisters chatted happily for a few minutes then hurried to join the others.

The first thing Elizabeth noticed in the drawing room was her husband’s gaze and the hidden smile on his lips. They had no time to talk, though, as the din of voices covered any attempt at reasonable conversation.

“I am going to see Papa,” Elizabeth said after Dr. Taylor gave his permission. She glanced at Darcy and exited precisely when Mr Collins entered, complaining that he was very hungry.

***

“Did you sleep well, Papa? Have you eaten? And did you take your herbal medicines?”

“Lizzy, you are annoying. Sit down and tell me how the evening was. I understand Mr Collins got a severe scolding from your husband. And yet, Mr Collins cannot be defeated.”

“Well, Mr Collins never ceases to entertain us.”

“Indeed. If you see your mother with her nerves wretched, please note it was my doing. I reminded her that, two weeks ago, she insisted on your marrying my cousin. I asked her how she feels knowing she almost ruined the chance of having Mr Darcy as a son-in-law.”

“Papa! Surely, you did not do that?”

“I most certainly did,” he said, a smirk on his face.

As they spoke, they were surprised by Mr Darcy’s entrance. He inquired after Mr Bennet, who invited him to join them.

“I am pleased to see that you survived one day in this house, sir. Did you manage to rest?”

Darcy glanced at his wife. “I did, thank you,” he said, slightly uneasy.

“I am glad to hear it. Before someone interrupts us, there is something I wish to ask you, sir, and I know this sounds very selfish. If something happens to me, I beg you to allow Elizabeth to take care of her sisters and mother. I am certain Mr Collins would claim his inheritance at once. My brother Gardiner said he will take full responsibility, but I know it would be a difficult task for him alone.”

“Sir, of that you may be certain. Elizabeth will have—at any time—the complete liberty to attend her mother and sisters in any way she wishes. If it becomes necessary to remove from Longbourn, they will be offered a comfortable home anywhere they wish, including in Hertfordshire or in London. However, I strongly believe this is not the time for such a conversation and will not be for many years. You must rest now.”

“And have some more tea,” Elizabeth continued.

Although he did not look at Elizabeth, Darcy felt her grateful smile. He also noticed Mr Bennet’s tearful eyes and his attempt to wipe them.

“Very well, send John with some medicinal tea. Upon my word, I have not drunk so much tea in the last five years together. Go and have breakfast. Mr Darcy, while the ladies are busy chatting, come and keep me company. Let Dr. Taylor be entertained by my brother Gardiner. I liked the doctor more when I was not his patient.”

“Gladly, sir,” Darcy said before closing the door behind them.

In the main hall, Elizabeth turned to her husband. “Thank you. I keep thanking you, and you continue to give me reasons for doing it.”

“You are very welcome. And you should stop doing it—thanking me, I mean.”

“You have grown very proficient at teasing and mocking. Papa is right.”

“As I said some time ago, one can change after one marries, especially if he marries wisely. So—did you sleep well?” he inquired just before they returned to the dining room.

She blushed. “Very well, thank you. And you?”

“Quite poorly—but I am not complaining,” he whispered, and she blushed even more.

***

Breakfast was a noisy affair. Mr Collins’s stories were mostly ignored between the chaotic conversation of Mrs Bennet and her younger daughters. Mr Collins talked another quarter hour on how small the house was for large gatherings, comparing it to Rosings.

Despite his previous decision to remain calm, Darcy said coldly, “Well, Mr Collins, considering your passion for large rooms, windows, and stairs, it is a shame you cannot see Pemberley, which is far beyond Rosings in all these respects. However, I hope Mrs Bennet will describe everything to you in great detail after the family spends the summer with us.”

Mr Collins paled and Mrs Bennet almost fainted with emotion.

“Oh, my dear Mr Darcy, I cannot imagine anything more delightful. I am sure Pemberley is beyond any other estate. It must be as big as an earl’s domain. I only hope Mr Bennet does not die before then—that would surely ruin our journey!”

“Mama!” cried both Elizabeth and Jane, pale with anger. “Please be aware of what you are saying. That is not something to jest about.” Mrs Bennet chose to ignore her.

“Mr Darcy, let me know what dishes you favour for today. I shall ask cook to prepare them at once. There is no other opinion that matters to me! Anything you may ask, we shall be more than happy to comply.”

Elizabeth looked around for a hole where she could bury herself in shame.

For the next hour, the only privacy she shared with her husband was brief glances and smiles.

She felt continually embarrassed while Darcy made efforts to accommodate the endless and meaningless chatter.

His discomfort was obvious while the doctor seemed to enjoy the din—which, Elizabeth thought, must have been a result of his hard days in the army.

“Lizzy, Jane, we go to Meryton! Will you come with us?” Lydia asked. “Please do come!”

“Oh yes, and you must take Mr Darcy’s carriage! You left in such haste after the wedding that people barely had time to admire it,” added Mrs Bennet.

“I am not certain, Lydia,” Elizabeth replied, glancing at her husband. She suppressed a laugh when she noticed the hope of relief on his face.

“Very well, let us go. I am sure the gentlemen will benefit from some time spent by themselves,” Elizabeth responded, and Darcy’s smile was a sure sign of his approval.

“Lizzy, will you buy us something? Please? I need a new bonnet—at least one—and perhaps a reticule! I know you have so much pin money now, you can buy anything! ”

“Lydia!” Jane cried, turning red while Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face.

“Jane, let the girls ask. I am sure Mr Darcy would not mind a few gifts,” Mrs Bennet intervened.

Elizabeth barely dared to glance at her husband then declared she would go to change. She rushed to her room, trembling from shame; a minute later, her husband followed her.

“William, I deeply apologise—sometimes my family is so…”

His smiled largely, gently cupped her face, and then kissed her cheek.

“My aunt treated you in the most horrible way and you bore it graciously. Surely, nothing your family might do can compare to that. As for your younger sisters—I think they deserve to be a little spoiled. After all, you were taken from them, and soon you will leave again. Do anything you can to please them for a couple more days.”

He briefly kissed her lips then handed her a velvet bag that obviously contained an important sum of money. Elizabeth gasped.

“William—I could not possibly spend all this. It is too much!”

“I am just being selfish. The more you purchase, the longer you will stay in Meryton.”

When they arrived in the drawing room, the noise level had increased acutely.

The girls seemed anxious to leave, and Jane could hardly temper them. Mr Collins declared he would join them to visit his dear Charlotte.

“I would suggest you go in your own carriage, Mr Collins. As you said, a clergyman can never be too cautious when it comes to his reputation, and travelling in a carriage with five young ladies might be seen in the wrong light,” Darcy said, and the effect of his words was immediate.

** *

Mrs Darcy’s reception in Meryton was as enthusiastic as Mrs Bennet hoped.

After greeting their friends, the entire party went to the shop.

Lydia and Kitty—also Mary at Elizabeth’s insistence—chose bonnets and reticules.

To their surprise, they were also allowed to order a new dress each.

Jane kindly declined, and Elizabeth did not insist further.

While her younger sisters were caught in the delightful distress of selecting fabrics and lace, through the shop window Elizabeth spotted Mr Wickham and Lieutenant Denny. It was obvious they saw her too, so she left the shop and met them outside.

The lieutenant spoke first. “What a wonderful surprise to see you again, Miss Bennet—I mean Mrs Darcy. You look lovelier than ever. It almost seems as if this marriage suits you.”

“I thank you, sir, you are very kind. I am delighted to see you too.”

Wickham tipped his hat. “Mrs Darcy—I am very happy to see you again. I imagine you had a very important reason to travel here in such weather.”

“I came to see my family.”

“Yes, I heard about Mr Bennet’s accident. I hope he is recovering well, and I am equally pleased with the chance to talk with you. We had no time in London, and I imagined Darcy would forbid you to speak to me here too. By the way, did he remain in Town?”

“My husband is at Longbourn with my uncle and Doctor Taylor.”

“Really? He came too? That is an even greater surprise.”

“Why would you be surprised that my husband travelled with me to visit my ill father?”

Elizabeth’s calm left her sooner than she wished, and she struggled to keep her smile. Lieutenant Denny excused himself and went to greet another acquaintance. Wickham took a step closer to her.