Page 25 of Why I Kissed You (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“Forgive me interrupting your evening, cousin,” said he as he reached into an inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a letter. He held it out and added, “Father bid me bring you this. He received it by express not half an hour ago, and as soon as he had read it, ordered me to bring it here.”

Darcy frowned and took the letter from his cousin, and as he read it, Colonel Fitzwilliam introduced his elder brother to the Bennet sisters and the Gardiners.

Elizabeth hardly noted the introduction to Lord Rowarth, for her attention was on her betrothed.

His expression darkened as he read the letter in his hands, and by the time he finished the short missive, he was scowling.

“Darcy?” she queried softly, placing her hand on his arm.

He looked at her; Darcy was very angry, but his countenance immediately softened when his gaze met hers. Wordlessly, he handed her the note, and though confused as to why he would even allow her to read the letter, Elizabeth took it and did so.

Rosings

Saturday, 18 April

Richard,

Have you taken leave of your senses?! Did you not understand the letter I sent you yesterday?

How could you allow such an atrocity as was seen in this morning’s papers?

A wedding announcement, of all the absurdities!

Darcy is betrothed to Anne—you have known this was the dearest wish of his mother and me since their infancy!

My daughter and our nephew are formed for each other.

You know they are descended on the maternal side from the same noble line; and, on the father’s, from respectable, honourable, and ancient—though untitled—families.

Their fortune on both sides is splendid.

They were destined for each other by the voice of every member of their respective houses; and what is to divide them?

The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connexions, or fortune!

Is this to be endured? But it must not, shall not be!

If that girl were sensible of her own good, she would not wish to quit the sphere in which she has been brought up.

Heaven and earth! Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?

You had best put a stop to this foolishness and make Darcy understand that disrespect of the wishes of his elders will not be tolerated!

I demand a retraction be sent to the papers at once, and if you do not exert your authority over that boy and make him send that little nobody back to the obscure country village she came from, I will not be responsible for what follows.

Your sister,

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Elizabeth took a stuttering breath as she passed the letter back to Darcy. He took it, then captured her hand in his.

“Do not let her manner upset you, my dear,” he said.

“‘Tis not her manner that concerns me, Mr. Darcy, but what she may do to try and prevent our marriage.”

“Mr. Darcy, I must ask that you let me see that letter, or that you have the courtesy of sharing a summary of its contents,” Mr. Gardiner said then. “Why should my niece be concerned about interference in your marriage?”

“Sir, my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not look upon our match with a friendly eye,” Darcy replied as he folded the letter and stuffed it into a pocket.

“She has long expressed a desire for a marriage between myself and her daughter, and I have equally as long made it clear I had no wish to marry my cousin. Yet nothing I have said or done has had any effect on Lady Catherine’s belief that the union would take place.

She writes to my uncle the earl, who is her brother, demanding he prevent Elizabeth and I getting married. ”

“Did you get the license today on your return from Hertfordshire?” Elizabeth asked .

“I am afraid I did not,” Darcy replied, and his expression of contrition was such that for a moment, she could not help but think he looked absolutely adorable.

“I did not realize that a statement was required by the both of us declaring there to be no impediments to our being married to each other. I meant to discuss with you going to see the bishop at St. Paul’s on Monday. ”

“I think it best you take care of it tomorrow, if you are able,” suggested Lord Rowarth. “And—forgive me, Miss Elizabeth—but it may be best you marry sooner than next Saturday.”

“Will not their marrying before the date given in the wedding announcement cause some talk?” pointed out Mrs. Gardiner, concern clear in her voice.

Elizabeth looked to her. “I do not doubt it will, Aunt, therefore we shall not.” Turning her eyes to the viscount, she added, “I thank you, sir, for your concern and the kindness of your advice to us.”

She turned her gaze at last to Darcy and gave the hand still wrapped around her own a light squeeze.

“Mr. Darcy and I agreed upon a week from today for our wedding, and that is when we shall marry. I’ll not let the disappointed hopes of a society mother with designs of increasing the consequence and fortune of her daughter to ruin our happiness. ”

“Bravo, Miss Elizabeth,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam.

“Bravo indeed,” echoed his brother. Lord Rowarth offered a smile and a nod of his head to Elizabeth, surprising her with the gesture of respect. “However, I feel it necessary to point out that choosing to wait leaves you vulnerable to my aunt’s whims.”

Elizabeth turned a saucy smirk in his direction. “I am not afraid of her.”

The Fitzwilliam brothers and Darcy all laughed. “You would be the first woman to say so, Miss Elizabeth!” said Lord Rowarth. “I do believe I shall like having you for a cousin very much indeed.”

Her smile widened at his compliment. Elizabeth inclined her head, then told the viscount, “You are very kind to say so, my lord.”

Drawing a breath, she then turned to encompass the whole party. “Come! Do not let this nonsense spoil our evening. We were having such a pleasant time!”

“How right you are, Lizzy,” said Mr. Gardiner. “In fact, I do believe Mrs. Gardiner and I were ahead, Bingley.”

Mr. Bingley laughed. “Miss Bennet and I will catch you up, sir, I declare!” he cried cheerfully, and the four sat down again to continue their game .

Georgiana began to play a soft melody on the pianoforte as Darcy extended an invitation to his elder cousin to remain. “We’ll be having coffee and tea in another half hour or so,” he added.

Lord Rowarth bowed his head. “Thank you, Darcy. I shouldn’t mind the opportunity to get to know this little minx you’re marrying better.”

Darcy frowned at the remark, but Elizabeth grinned. “A minx, am I?” she asked.

“Quite so,” said the viscount. “Anyone who is willing to stand up to our harridan aunt has my support. Not to mention you are very pretty and look very well next to my cousin. Darcy, however did you manage to convince her to accept you?”

Elizabeth looked up at Darcy, the truth flashing across her consciousness before the absurdity of the situation struck her and she laughed.

“I am not dour all the time, Philip,” Darcy muttered.

“No indeed—in an intimate setting such as this, I am sure you are all that is charming and agreeable,” said Lord Rowarth.

“He truly is, my lord,” said Elizabeth. “I am sure you know that Darcy is much more at ease amidst a small party than he is in a large company of strangers. Do you know that is how we met?”

Lord Rowarth laughed. “Did you really? Pray tell me all about it, Miss Elizabeth!”

“I shall,” said she with a grin. “Come, let us sit and make ourselves comfortable—and my dear Lord Rowarth, do prepare yourself for something very dreadful.”