Page 48 of The Shades of Pemberley

N ewlywed couples rarely feel the need for company when they can be alone together.

The author will say nothing about the antics of the new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy during their chosen hiatus from the company of others than to suggest that many in society would not consider their activities quite proper.

To Darcy and Elizabeth, the only measure to determine what was proper was their mutual preference.

No one else was of concern to either, so they determined to act in a way they saw fit and pleased them, while strengthening a bond that was already as firm as the stone with which Netherfield was built.

When they emerged two days after their wedding, they went in search of the company, making their way below stairs amid the banter that had long been natural to them.

“What do you suppose Miss Bingley will say to our long absence?” asked Elizabeth of Darcy, sporting a visage so innocent as to be unmistakable as anything other than mischief.

“Do you concern yourself with Miss Bingley’s opinion?” asked Darcy, aware he was quite besotted with his pretty new wife.

“No,” replied she, affecting an air of unconcern. “Yet I cannot but believe she will seethe with jealousy at the sight of us, for no one who looks upon us for an instant can mistake what we have gotten up to these past days.”

“Nothing less than expected of a couple newly married,” agreed Darcy. “As her behavior when we returned from Longbourn was not objectionable, I expect her to swallow her bile and stick to civility.”

A query to a footman revealed that Darcy’s mother was the only member of the party at Netherfield, so Elizabeth and Darcy made their way to the sitting-room, knowing that Mrs. Darcy would feel no need to temper her witticisms, especially as Georgiana was absent.

When they entered the room, it was apparent that teasing was the furthest thought from his mother’s mind.

“William, Elizabeth!” exclaimed his mother upon catching sight of them.

Mrs. Darcy set aside the book she had been reading and rose to approach them, welcoming Darcy with a smile but paying more particular attention to Elizabeth. After the two women embraced, Mrs. Darcy drew out to arm’s length and inspected Elizabeth.

“Why, I dare say you are glowing with happiness, Elizabeth.” Then she winked at her and added to them both: “If you had determined to marry Elizabeth at once before you departed for Pemberley, the separation and difficulties you endured would have been much less, I am certain.”

“Yes, I cannot but suppose you are correct,” said Darcy with no little dryness. “Should I face such a decision again, I shall be certain to think better of it.”

Elizabeth turned and gave his shoulder a playful swat. “None of that, if you please. To find yourself in such a situation, you would need a new fiancée, and I am determined you will only ever have one.”

“Trust me, Elizabeth,” said Darcy, looking at her with adoring eyes, “I never wish to have another.”

“Oh, the joys of love and the initial bliss of marriage.” Mrs. Darcy smiled at them, even as she beckoned them into the room. “Though your father and I did not share a close relationship, I well recall those first heady days.”

Darcy did not respond to the comment, for though he understood the troubles in his parents’ relationship, he had never considered it his business to comment on it.

“Now, I shall call for tea, for I cannot but imagine you are both famished after eating nothing for the past two days.”

While Elizabeth giggled, Darcy regarded his mother with a lazy grin. “Even if I had little upon which to feast these past days, you know well how many times the staff has delivered a tray to our rooms.”

“Yes, I do.” Mrs. Darcy became serious. “Can I assume you will wish to share a bedchamber rather than the more fashionable practice of adjoining rooms?”

“I shall not spend a night away from Elizabeth if I can help it,” declared Darcy, and Elizabeth nodded her agreement at once.

“As for society, we have already decided we shall do as we please when alone. If society ever learns of it, I shall not consider it a jot, though I will expel any servant who abuses our privacy.”

Mrs. Darcy nodded. “As you should.”

“Tell me, Mother, though I suppose I need not guess. Where are Bingley and his sister, and Georgiana?”

“Mr. Bingley and Georgiana went to Longbourn to visit Elizabeth’s family. As for Miss Bingley, she is no longer at Netherfield Park.”

“Oh?” asked Elizabeth, arching an eyebrow. “Was her civility when we returned home a facade then?”

“Perhaps it was, though she maintained it until she departed. The day of your wedding, she received a letter from her sister announcing their imminent arrival in London. Miss Bingley offered her appreciation for our hospitality and stated that recent events necessitated her departure. She claimed a desire to meet again in town, then departed for London this morning.”

Darcy exchanged a look with Elizabeth, not having expected Miss Bingley to absent herself with so much alacrity.

It was yet an open question if she did so because she had no more chance to change his mind, to avoid saying something impolitic to Elizabeth, or because she felt that way in truth, but Darcy would not question his mother on that score.

“That is for the best. I have already spoken with Bingley about my willingness to maintain the connection with his sister in London. I hope she will find a husband, though I cannot but suppose she must lower her expectations to avoid disappointment.”

“With that, I cannot but agree.”

The tea service soon arrived, and they set to it while exchanging pleasant conversation. As his mother referenced a few letters that had arrived in his absence, Darcy soon tore himself away from their company, leaving Elizabeth in his mother’s capable hands.

The first letter was more of a packet, and when Darcy opened it, he noted the official documents from the earl’s solicitor.

Accompanying this was a letter from his uncle explaining the alteration of his late brother’s will, naming Darcy as Georgiana’s guardian, now backed by law and the earl’s influence.

There were a few other items the earl noted, and Darcy made a mental note to discuss them with Elizabeth and his mother when he returned to the sitting-room.

The other letter of importance was a missive from his solicitor in town concerning the business of Longbourn’s inheritance.

Darcy read through it, intending to return to it later, but gleaned the gist of the message, including a request for more information from Mr. Bennet.

Soon, Darcy returned to the sitting-room.

Bingley and Georgiana had returned in the interim; Bingley offered his hearty congratulations, and Georgiana’s sentiments, though shyer, were no less sincere.

Then he sat down and explained what he had received in his letters.

Though Elizabeth was interested in the correspondence from the solicitor, that business must be of the most importance to Mr. Bennet, and they spent little time on it.

“Thank you again, William,” said Georgiana, her manner everything sincere, “for agreeing to become my guardian. I feel easier knowing that Lady Catherine cannot demand my compliance should she wish to take me away to Rosings.”

“Not at all, Georgiana,” said Darcy. “I was happy to do it. Should your aunt present herself demanding you leave with her, we have an official document to wave in her face.”

“That will not convince her to desist!” cried Georgiana amid her laughter. “However, it will be most amusing to see.”

“With that, I cannot disagree.” Darcy turned to Elizabeth and his mother.

“Of more immediate and particular interest, the earl wrote of two other matters; the first was his intention to join us here for our wedding and show his support, and the second was the countess’s desire to meet Elizabeth and provide her guidance in society. ”

“That is curious, William,” said his mother, “for I did not suppose a man of his rank would wish to go to so much trouble to support a man who is not a relation.”

“Nor had I expected it,” agreed Darcy. “I suspect part of his reason is this business with Georgiana’s guardianship. By attending our nuptials, he sends a clear message, not only to Lady Catherine but to society at large, that he considers us appropriate guardians for his sister’s daughter.

“Of course,” continued Darcy with a grin, “his letter requesting leave to attend our nuptials is a little late, given the events of the past days.”

Georgiana giggled at his jest, and Bingley barked an amused laugh. Elizabeth, however, offered nothing more than a serene smile.

“I suspect the earl will congratulate us for our ingenuity. As we are still to have our ball and the wedding breakfast, perhaps you should write to him, explain the situation, and offer it as an alternative.”

“I agree, Elizabeth. I shall attend to it at once.”

“As for the countess’s offer,” said Elizabeth, “I shall accept in the spirit of friendship and support. Further, I shall do whatever I can to prove to her ladyship that you have not been taken in by some adventuress who will embarrass her at every turn.”

“Aunt Susan will not think that of you!” exclaimed Georgiana as Darcy caught Elizabeth’s hand in his and kissed it. “I have written to her many times extolling your virtue; I cannot imagine she will greet you with anything other than welcome.”

“Thank you, Georgiana,” said Elizabeth, giving the girl a warm smile. “Your support means everything to me.”