Page 50 of Some Natural Importance (Pride, Prejudice and Romance #3)

“I am glad to see you again, E-Elizabeth,” Georgiana said earnestly.

“As I am you, Georgiana. My cousins and sister send their greetings,” Elizabeth replied. She watched as the girl’s countenance was lit by a sweet smile as her cousin Miss Fitzwilliam gazed at her curiously.

“We have been anxious to meet you, Miss Bennet. Many ladies have wished to secure Darcy, but even those of the highest station, the largest fortune, the greatest beauty have failed to capture his eye and win his heart.”

Elizabeth nodded politely at Lady Matlock’s less-than-heartfelt compliment.

“I understand you are in mourning for your father. My condolences.” Lady Matlock looked tenderly at her daughter. “My Cecilia lost her father as a young girl and has been fortunate these past years to call Lord Matlock her stepfather.”

“Although yours was a loss years in the past, I am sorry for you,” Elizabeth said, before turning to smile sympathetically at the young woman. “You are fortunate indeed.”

Lady Matlock nodded and turned her attention to pouring tea. “Your estate is entailed and you shall soon lose your home? A pity, these entails,” she added, heedless of her guest’s astonished expression. “You have a number of sisters as well who require support. Will your mother remarry?”

“I-I can hardly say. My father’s death was scarcely a month ago.”

“You have been in mourning but one month? Shall you marry and begin your marriage whilst in mourning? It is not done.”

Elizabeth looked past the insult. “Our betrothal preceded my father’s death. We must wed before full winter arrives and prevents our reaching Pemberley.”

“There is always Rosings. Darcy has many estates.”

“My brother will always prefer Pemberley as his home,” Georgiana said firmly, and meeting her eyes, Elizabeth saw both worry and exasperation. “We have lived much of our lives there and I am eager to return.”

“I am all anticipation to see it,” Elizabeth said, smiling at the girl. “I have heard of its fabled library and beautiful grounds. I hope you will help me learn my way around them.”

Georgiana, appearing relieved, began to reply but Miss Fitzwilliam was swifter to react.

“I was to marry my cousin, but something about you has beguiled him. Your eyes are quite pretty, and Georgiana has praised you as lively and well-read. You are not wealthy as well, are you?”

Elizabeth nearly laughed. Has every family their own Lydia, a girl whose hair and dress and station may differ but who speaks only to say outrageous things?

After a moment’s pause, a moment in which Lady Matlock appeared to share her daughter’s interest in Elizabeth’s reply, she said, “My father was a gentleman with a small estate in a small village. I have wanted for nothing in my life beyond more natural talent in my playing and the opportunity to travel to lands I have only read of. My wealth would be measured in sisters and in my penchant for happiness.”

Georgiana looked down at her lap, smiling. That reassuring sign gave Elizabeth enough relief to reach for and take a long sip of tea.

“You have spent little time in town, and have not had a Season?”

Elizabeth anticipated displeasure with her replies, but pushed ahead nevertheless.

“Local society in Meryton is comprised of some thirty families. I have danced at assemblies and played whist and loo at card parties with my neighbours, and when in London, I own to taking great pleasure in its parks, exhibitions, and theatres.”

Miss Fitzwilliam, giving the appearance of surprise, said, “You enjoy the theatre?”

“I do. ”

“Darcy does not, so you shall have to force him into society.” Miss Fitzwilliam wore an amused, almost kindly expression.

“I look forward to the challenge, although I have found him perfectly amenable thus far in our acquaintance. He was not uncomfortable in our small society.” Elizabeth looked at Georgiana with an encouraging smile.

“My new sister will be of great assistance to me in guiding her brother to enjoy himself, I think.”

Lady Matlock’s voice cut into the convivial atmosphere. “Darcy was married before, to his cousin.”

“Yes, I am aware he is widowed.” And, thought Elizabeth as she turned her attention to the lady, it is an entirely inappropriate turn in the conversation.

Lady Matlock, wearing a maternal expression, sat back against the deep-red cushions in her chair.

“Anne, named for Darcy’s own beloved mother, was sickly.

She wished for a marriage of the heart and he wished for her estate, as his father wanted.

Upon her death, he gained Rosings and nearly doubled his fortune. ”

“His loss was greater than his gain, for he has suffered the loss of too many in his family. I do not believe he would marry for reasons beyond duty, obligation or love.” Elizabeth, angered by the countess’s insult to Darcy, clasped her shaking hands in her lap, wishing to drink some tea but too afraid of spilling it.

She did not require the lady’s condescension nor would she accept it.

Darcy had made clear his aunt was not a maternal figure to him nor did her interests have any claim on his.

“I am not marrying him for his fortune, nor is he marrying me for mine. Mr Darcy knows I bring no fortune to the marriage.”

Lady Matlock’s eyes flared. “Does he? I believe he suspects there is more to you than fine eyes and a trunkful of dyed gowns. ”

Miss Fitzwilliam’s voice broke into the conversation. “Miss Bennet, do you prefer comedies?—”

“I hope it is true, for your sake,” Lady Matlock interrupted, adjusting the lace of her cuff.

Her hard stare was matched by a smug smile; neither matched the softer tone of her voice.

“You are a pretty thing and I would hate to see your heart and spirit broken. There is not one in a hundred of either sex who is not taken in when they marry. I know so many who have married in the full expectation and confidence of some particular advantage in the connexion or accomplishment or good quality in the person, who have found themselves entirely deceived, and were obliged to put up with exactly the reverse.”

Elizabeth looked at her blankly. Her mind sought clues to the lady’s meaning, and finding none, was relieved when Darcy and Lord Matlock returned to the room and conversation shifted to a more welcoming tone.

“There is gold to be found in Hertfordshire?”

Darcy’s eyes widened as he understood Richard’s confidence had not been kept.

Again . His hand rose and he ran his fingers over the burled edge of his uncle’s desk.

He focused on the texture of the wood and it calmed him.

After a moment spent under his uncle’s watchful eye, he replied drily, “I have found treasure there, yes, in the form of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

To his credit, the earl chuckled. “Aye, you and Georgiana do seem to like her, and she is handsome, despite the drabbery she is wearing.” He turned more serious a moment later and leaned forward in his chair. “Is she truly of modest means, or are there riches to be found on her estate?”

“A parcel of some fifteen acres, not under the entail, was sold to me. An underground spring there feeds the waterways for most of the farms and estates in the area, which increases the value of the land. ”

“There is an entail on her father’s estate? Good God, Darcy. Truly, the girl brings nothing to this marriage.”

“What she brings is intangible?—”

“‘Intangible’, is it? The wedding is next week. Why so hasty? Is she?—?”

Enraged, Darcy stood quickly. “Certainly not!”

“Is there gold on the land?”

“I have no idea. It does not matter to me.”

“It should matter! You wish to wed a girl who brings nothing of value to the marriage.” The earl sat back heavily in his chair. “Your father would not forgive me.”

“ My father would wish me happy.”

Lord Matlock shook his finger at him. “Your father would wish you to listen to your closest male relation.”

Darcy glared at him, ready to challenge the earl for presuming he could again advise him on marriage. His uncle held up a hand and urged him to take his seat.

“Are you certain Cecilia would not do as well for you?”

“I am certain.”

His uncle’s fierce expression softened. “Richard says you care for her, and I must now believe him. We must avoid the appearance of discord in the family, if not the truth of it.” He stood and extended his hand to Darcy.

“I should like to be apprised of any future investments you pursue. My pockets may be well-lined but your aunt shows no restraint in her shopping. We must find Cecilia a wealthy husband who can indulge her shopping and decorating needs, the sooner the better. Godspeed. You are my sister’s son, and you deserve a happy marriage this time. ”

It was as much congratulations as Darcy could have expected. He had, in fact, anticipated demands—if not to marry Cecilia then to explain Richard’s references to gold riches. But the earl had not, instead humbling himself to ask for help in his own ventures and investments.

Now, happily escaped from his family and anticipating a dinner at Gracechurch Street and all of tomorrow showing Elizabeth her new home, Darcy sat with her in his carriage, waiting for Georgiana to join them for the trip across town.

“Did your uncle wish to speak to you on anything important?”

Darcy tore his gaze from the carriage window and looked at Elizabeth.

She appeared weary; it had been a long day for her, and he had known from her expression when he entered the drawing room that the time spent in company with his aunt had not been easy.

He leaned forward and took her gloved hands in his before replying.

“He wished to know from me what I believe my aunt wished to know from you. The reasons for our marriage, the reasons for its swiftness during your mourning.”

“That is indeed what Lady Matlock wished to know.”

He pressed her hands before sitting back and fixing her with a smile. “My uncle wished us happy.”

Clearly surprised by the sentiments, she returned his smile. “He is your uncle and owes you his goodwill.” She paused a moment and said, slowly, “Your aunt wonders at my lack of fortune, apparently believing as anyone would that your felicity depends in large part on increasing your wealth.”

He hid his anger, replying that many might consider it odd but not many could aspire to a match based on mutual regard. A love match. Words he could not say to her, but hoped to, in the near future.

“My aunt and uncle themselves were a love match, at least more of one than either had had in their first marriages. I assure you, however, that neither would have considered the other without assurances that a fortune, on his side, and wit, beauty, and social connexions on hers, was attached to the promised felicity as well.” Elizabeth appeared unsurprised by his words, so he continued, hoping to assure her.

“Society’s gaze is rarely warm and welcoming.

It shall be different next year when we return to town as a happily married couple of many months. ”

His earnestness gained little ground, apparently, as she replied, “You insist that society’s opinion matters little to you, yet you are resolved that society must forgive a Mrs Darcy who brings nothing to the marriage. Can that be true?”

“There is nothing to forgive, Elizabeth. Society’s expectations are rarely in alignment with mine, and our happiness is my utmost concern.”

His eyes searched hers, hoping that he could in some way convey his sincerity.

Her confidence in him—in them —seemed to reassert itself and her eyebrow tugged up in that familiar fashion he so adored. “As I have no secret fortune, perhaps your aunt and society can be persuaded over time that there is more to me than just my ‘fine eyes’.”

He leaned towards Elizabeth and said quietly, “My aunt is singular in her expression. Very little persuasion will be needed once society meets Mrs Darcy.”

His gaze lingered; he could see the moment she realised his thoughts and her expression softened.

He reached out his hand and cupped her cheek.

As he drew near to her, the door to the carriage opened and Georgiana was handed in.

“I apologise for the delay. Aunt wished to speak to me.” She sat beside Elizabeth, glancing only briefly at her brother.

Darcy, now sitting stiffly in his seat, chose to ignore whatever message Georgiana thought to convey.

When he saw she was settled, he tapped the ceiling of the carriage and the driver moved them into the London traffic.