Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (67 page)

“I wonder why he does not employ a man.”  Alicia said.

“His father did not, so I imagine that Darcy never considered it for himself.  In my opinion my brother took on all the tasks in an effort to remain constantly busy and forget my sister.  I can see my nephew doing the same to occupy himself after his father died, not that he was in want of activity.”  She watched Elizabeth studying the landscape thoughtfully.  “He has made us very proud.”

“I am proud of him as well.”  She said softly.  “He was very . . .he was trying very hard not to show how . . .worried he was when we were alone, but he held me so desperately.”  Elizabeth blushed and saw that Alicia was looking at her.  “I should not have said that.”

“Dear, you would be fooling nobody to say that Darcy was not holding you.”  Lady Matlock smiled.

“Audrey and I chose to give you a blind eye when you said your goodbyes, Elizabeth.  It is only natural that you would wish to express yourselves when you cannot know the extent of your separation.  Besides you will be married very soon.”  Alicia added reassuringly.

Elizabeth relaxed and confessed a little more.  “My aunt said that . . . physical expressions of love would come at the happiest and saddest times, not just every day.”

Lady Matlock glanced at her daughter-in-law then looked back to Elizabeth.  “She is correct, and that is why nobody stopped you from comforting him.  I assume that he did not press you . . .”

“No madam.”  Elizabeth blushed again and sat up to take a pen and drew forward a sheet of paper.  “Shall we begin?”  Lady Matlock and Alicia regarded each other with raised brows.  Elizabeth’s sudden desire for activity was telling, but they would not compel her to say more. 

Over the next hour, Elizabeth wrote out letters and Lady Matlock signed them, all for appointments Darcy had made over the next fortnight, while Alicia read over the enormous stack of neglected invitations.  “Quite a variety of interests.”  His aunt said as she signed the last letter.  “I wonder if Henry’s investments are so varied.”

“I thought it would be all livestock and crops, but he has railroads, mining, engines . . . and I was pleased to see the letter from my uncle.”  She smiled and saw Lady Matlock nod. 

“I believe that Darcy will do a very admirable job of expanding the wealth of his family.”

“So perhaps the loss of a wife with a substantial dowry will not be so painful.” 

Alicia spoke up.  “Why are you beating yourself about that?  Darcy has had time to consider what such an alliance would mean.  Even if you two did only just come together physically, he has had you in his thoughts for years if I am correct about the clues he has let drop over time.  Do not tell me that he has not been far from your thoughts.”   She saw that Elizabeth was focussed on her.  “Just because the rest of the family was taken by surprise by his decision does not mean that he was.”

“Elizabeth, Darcy knows what he can afford to do.  He will lose thirty thousand pounds when Georgiana marries, but that could be five or even ten years from now. That money is earning interest, and that interest will make up for some of its loss.  Do not feel terrible for something that does not concern him.”  She put the pile together, then looked through the invitations.  “Hmmm, he is correct, none of these really require responses, but we will just write a note on each saying no thank you, and return them to the sender.  These are all people wanting him present to get a look at you, and none of them are people you need to know.”  She then turned to the new day’s post.  “You go ahead and open the letters, and I will return.  I would like to have a word with Mrs. Mercer.  Oh, and Alicia, I saw the invitation from the Crearys’.  If it is possible, Darcy and Elizabeth should attend that ball, it is in three weeks so perhaps he will have returned by then.”  Alicia nodded and made sure that a note was written to accept that invitation.

Elizabeth picked up the letters that had just arrived while Alicia set to work on the rest of the invitations.   Two letters were personal and as soon as she realized that she set them aside.  One was a proposal asking for an investment and another was a charitable request.  The last looked like it may be another personal letter, but quickly her hand went to her mouth and she gasped.  “Fitzwilliam!”  She cried out and dissolved into sobs.

“Elizabeth!”  Lady Matlock rushed into the room, and seeing the letter crushed in her hand pried it out and began to read.

8 June 1809

Dear Mr. Darcy,

May I offer you my most sincere congratulations for your marriage to the daughter of my sponsor’s patron, your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?  I was thrilled and delighted to hear from Mrs. Darcy’s lips of your nuptials.  While I am of course gravely disappointed that I could not perform the service myself, I can certainly understand why a man as distinguished as you would wish to be married by a bishop.  Mrs. Darcy was glowing in the description of the ceremony, as could only be expected.  I look forward to serving you and your family for many years, and despite Mrs. Darcy’s current delicate health, I am certain that very soon the halls of Rosings and your estate in Derbyshire will contain the happy sounds of your heir’s cry.

Have I mentioned that I am soon to take Holy Orders and currently serve as an assistant to Reverend Mousely?  He sponsored me as I studied, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh indicated that she would award his living to me when he, regrettably, retires.  I do hope that you will continue to follow her wishes?  I would be very proud to serve a patron as eminent and powerful as you, sir.

Your servant,

William Collins
 

“Good heavens!”  Lady Matlock said softly and looked to Elizabeth who was weeping and hugging herself. 

Alicia hurried over and embraced her.  “What happened?”

“Why?  Why would he lie?  Why would he marry her and . . . go through this charade with me?  Why?”  She sobbed.

“Elizabeth!”  Lady Matlock said sharply.  “Darcy did not marry his cousin!  Now pull yourself together and stop this caterwauling immediately!  How can you say that you love him and be so quick to distrust him!  I am ashamed of you!”

Elizabeth gulped and took a breath.  The verbal slap had the intended effect, and the initial shock from seeing anyone being called Mrs. Darcy besides herself faded.  Lady Matlock handed her a handkerchief and poured her some wine.  While returning the carafe to its place she looked at the grate in the fireplace and noticed some letters that Darcy had apparently set alight when he was arranging his desk, and did not burn completely.  She recognized familiar handwriting on one and reached down to retrieve it.  “This is from Catherine.”  She turned it over and seeing the seal intact she nodded.  “He never looked at it, naturally after he cut his ties with her, why would he?”  Walking back over to the desk where Elizabeth sat trembling and wiping her eyes, Lady Matlock sat down and broke open the envelope, and began to read the singed page.  “I see.”  Wordlessly she handed the letter to Elizabeth and watched her take in the statement.

8 June 1809

Rosings

Dear Darcy,

Your cousin’s illness has expanded to the point where she believes herself to be your wife at all times, and has demanded that she be addressed as such.  She asks why you have not come to Rosings, and has even gone so far as to describe your wedding to our pastor’s assistant, Mr. Collins.  He would like to announce the news of your wedding to the world; of course.  I have asked him to delay until you arrive to take your place at Anne’s side.  There is no other choice.  To protect the word of Anne’s delusions from being spread and therefore protect the family name, as well as yours and Georgiana’s reputations, you must do your duty and marry her.

She is ill, the fever remains unabated, and I doubt she will live long.  It is not such a terrible sacrifice for you, is it?  You will have Rosings.  I know that you prefer Pemberley so I will remain here to care for the estate in your absence.  She will die and you will be free to marry that Bennet woman if you find it so distasteful to simply take her as your mistress.

I expect you to arrive very soon, the servants have heard everything; it is only a matter of time before word of your marriage to Anne spreads.

Sincerely,

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

“That horrid woman!”  Elizabeth declared.  Her eyes flashed in anger and she looked up to see Lady Matlock nodding her head approvingly.  “How
DARE
she foist her unbalanced daughter on my Fitzwilliam!  He would not bend to such demands, would he?”

“No dear, Darcy deeply believes in duty and honour, but there are some things that he absolutely will not do, and as much as he loves his family, he dearly loves you.  He would not accept Catherine’s demand that he marry Anne before this occurred, so I doubt that he would now. If he had read this letter before leaving, I wonder which crisis he would have addressed first.”  She said thoughtfully and looked at the furious woman glaring at the letter in her hands. “I think that he would have chosen you.”

Alicia put a comforting arm around Elizabeth and looked to Lady Matlock.  “What do we do?  Gossip of this nature will not be contained.  I cannot imagine the staff at Rosings being particularly loyal to Lady Catherine.” 

“I suggest that we go to Matlock House and apprise my husband of his sister’s activities.  He is the head of the family, and it is he who must control her.”  Lady Matlock rose and gathered together the letters they had prepared, placed Lady Catherine’s and Collins’ letters in her reticule and watched Elizabeth stand shakily.  She embraced her and smiled. “Come my dear, now that the shock has worn off, I would like to see how the true mistress of Pemberley conducts herself in a crisis.”

“I will do whatever is necessary.”  Elizabeth took a steadying breath and joined her aunt, but paused to look once again at Pemberley before she walked out the door.

“THE POST, SIR.”  Lord Matlock nodded and returned to the letter he was composing. He was putting his papers in order before leaving for an afternoon session at the House of Lords.  His work was interrupted by his wife’s voice.

“Henry!”  She said angrily.  “Your sister is a manipulative hag.”

He coughed and smiled.  “What brings this on?”  Then noticing Elizabeth standing behind her, his smile fell away.  “Have you been crying, dear?”

“Yes she has, and with good reason.”  Lady Matlock placed the letters on his desk.  “Go ahead, read them!  The first was in Darcy’s post this morning the second was in his grate, unopened.”

He read the first and his jaw dropped.  “Who is this fool?”  He looked at the signature.  “Collins?  Is he as barking mad as Anne?”

“Read on, Husband.”  Lady Matlock said dryly.

He picked up his sister’s letter and stood, “What devil has possessed her?  What spawn formed her?”  He paced the room vigorously as he thought and fumed.  “It is all a ploy to keep her in Rosings; she could give a . . .bloody care if her daughter dies, so long as she was married to Darcy!” 

“
That
we know, Henry.  Do not point out the obvious, let us address the solution.”

“Forgive me Helen, you had your opportunity to react, and I am taking mine.”  He glared at her and saw Elizabeth’s uncertain gaze running between the couple. He sighed.  “We are not arguing, dear.”

Lady Matlock saw her wide eyes and patted her hand.  “Darcy will exasperate you, too.”

“Oh.”

Lord Matlock dropped into his chair, and scanned over the letters lying before him, his eyes drifted to the day’s post and on top he noticed a letter from Rosings, but it was not in his sister’s hand.  “Ah.”  He reached for it and broke the paste seal, and checked the signature.  “I asked Mrs. Jenkinson to apprise me of any unusual events at Rosings.  She has done as I bid.”  Quickly he scanned the page and put it down as he became lost in thought.  Sighing loudly Lady Matlock stood and snatched the letter, and returned to her chair to read, then handed it over to Elizabeth.

8 June, 1809

Dear Lord Matlock,

As you asked, I am writing to tell you of things at Rosings.  Miss Anne has fallen very ill, her fever came on when we returned from London, and the physician bled her twice.  She is weak at times but her delusions seem to give her the strength of a bull.  She is convinced at all times that she is married to Mr. Darcy and demands that she be addressed as his wife.  She questions why she is not in the mistress’s chambers and why he is not home with her.  I have refused to call her Mrs. Darcy and she reacts very violently when I try to set her right.  The elixir is not strong enough, but her ladyship will not hear of increasing the dose.  I fear for your niece, sir.

Then there is Mr. Collins, he is a reverend in waiting, if you will.  He is hoping for the living when Mr. Mousely retires.  Sir, Mr. Collins is a flatterer and gossip, and a very little man, if you take my meaning.  He likes to make himself important by spreading news.  He visited Miss Anne and now wishes to tell the world of this sham marriage.  Please sir, could you come and visit?  Miss Anne needs a doctor who is not paid by her mother; and Mr. Collins must be stopped, although I fear that good Mr. Darcy will be grievously injured by this rumour. 

Sincerely,

Adelaide Jenkinson

Lord Matlock studied Elizabeth shrinking as she took in yet another round of bad news.  He turned his gaze to his wife who was watching the young girl as well, and their eyes met.  “It is well that I did not go to Pemberley.”

“Shall I send for Mr. Clarke?”

“Yes, and I will write a note for Richard.  I want him to join me on this trip.  It is only a few hours to Rosings, so he will not be away for long.”

“What are you thinking, Henry?”  Lady Matlock said anxiously.