Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (70 page)

“What do you mean?”  Elizabeth sniffed.  “Why can we not be married as we wish in the parlour at Darcy House?”

“I think that you may need to marry at the very least in a church, and I suspect it will have to be Darcy’s, and with a general invitation to his society.” 

“But . . . Aunt, that would mean . . . Mama and Papa and . . .”

“Our sisters presented to society.”  Jane gasped.

“This is a problem.”  Mr. Gardiner said quietly. 

“Can nothing go well?”  Elizabeth moaned and dropped her head in her hands.  “Come home Fitzwilliam!” 

12 JUNE 1809

Gracechurch Street

London

My dearest Fitzwilliam,

I have so many things to tell you, but the most important is that I miss you, my love.  I think that if your lap could bear the weight, I would happily spend my days firmly in your embrace, and receiving your kisses.  Oh what a terrible thing you have done, sir!  How can you leave me after such a wonderful experience!  I can hardly concentrate on any task, every free moment I have sends me instantly back to the memory of your arms.  I believe that your aunt was growing quite exasperated with me while we worked in your study.  There I was in your desk chair, yes my love; I claimed it for my own and felt surrounded by you, and looking up at the beautiful landscape of Pemberley.  Oh, I hope that it is as it ever was.  I imagined you approaching and your apprehension, and I dearly wished that I was there holding your hand.  Whatever the circumstances, if it is intact or ruined, I do not care, only that you are well.  A house can be rebuilt, and we will make new memories to fill the halls.

While looking at the landscape, and yes, I finally had the opportunity to examine it and the study closely since a certain persistent man was not nibbling upon me, I determined that the very first place you must take me when we go riding is to the very spot where the artist sat.  I imagine it is not an easy place to find, and since my riding skills are somewhat questionable, I believe that I must make the journey by sharing your mount?  Do you think that you would mind that so very much, riding with me sitting behind you, and holding your waist?  Or would you prefer that I sit in front?  It would make it easier for me to distract you with a kiss or two.  Oh listen to me, you must think me wanton, but it is entirely your fault! 

Your Aunt Catherine has been a bit bothersome, but your uncle will tell you all about it.  I will not waste ink and paper on her nonsense.  Just know that I am well.  I am sorry to tell you that Jane and Mr. Harwick have ended their courtship.  I know that you have found a friend in him, and please know that I hold nothing against him and his decision, and will not behave poorly should he visit our homes.  Jane is circumspect.  She expected this to happen and when it did, she blamed herself more so than our family or upbringing.  She says that if I could overcome the effect of Longbourn then she should have as well.  I do not know if I should agree or not, but I am glad to see the return of my sweet Jane.  She said that she will behave as I did when I faced my rejection.  I am simply grateful that I was rejected by Mr. Stewart, because it left me free for you, my love.  Perhaps she will be so grateful someday when some man finds her.

Jane will remain in London to avoid Mama, but I was considering travelling to Longbourn to take care of my belongings before our wedding, and perhaps to distract Mama from Jane by showing me off to her friends.  Uncle would send a maid with me as a companion, but when I voiced my thoughts to Aunt Helen, she quite clearly stated that I was out of my mind and that you would not stand for such an idea.  I believe that she fumed for a full hour on the subject, even the offer from Alicia to accompany me in her own coach was denied.  It seems that I will never collect my things, but with all of the shopping we have done of late, it is difficult to imagine what I could possibly use from Longbourn anyway.  Perhaps we can stop briefly on our way home to Pemberley for our honeymoon.

Oh dearest, I am anticipating that trip so much!  I have a very vivid imagination, and between my aunt’s instruction and your demonstrations, I must admit that I am all curiosity to begin.  Must we wait so long to wed?  Can we not simply go directly to the church the moment you return?  I have so many more places that I wish to touch now.  Your neck is only one spot that I must taste.  Oh dear, I hope that this letter does not fall into some stranger’s hands, what would they think of me?  Well, as long as you think well of me, I will be happy for all of my days.  I love you my Fitzwilliam, come to me as soon as you are able. 

Yours always,

Elizabeth

Darcy’s face was lit by an enormous smile.  “Elizabeth, dearest, do you have any idea what you are saying to me?  What you are doing to me?  You are extraordinary!  Women do not speak of these things, certainly not wives!”  His imagination was firing with so many images, Elizabeth in his chair, in his lap, bouncing against his ready body as they rode, touching him, kissing him, opening herself to him . . . “Ohhhhh.”   He moaned as his body responded to the vision of Elizabeth sprawled before him.  “Calm Darcy, calm yourself,” he said repeatedly.  “You must be gentle, no matter how willing she is, be gentle.”  A thought of them making love in the hills overlooking Pemberley immediately appeared and he groaned.  “Perhaps Mrs. Bennet’s example was not all bad . . .”

A quarter-hour passed and he was relaxed in the lassitude of his relief.  Sleepily he drew out the small box he kept in his waistcoat and removed the long curl of Elizabeth’s hair, wrapped it around his finger then kissed it before tenderly returning it to its place.  He picked up her letter to drink in her words again, but this time he focussed on her carefully hidden message.  Aunt Catherine, return to Longbourn, marry soon, come back. 
What had happened?

He looked back to his desk and found the thick packet that arrived by the same messenger who had brought his and Layton’s letters.  Naturally he had immediately opened Elizabeth’s but now he turned to the letter from his uncle.

12 June 1809

Matlock House

Dear Darcy,

I hardly know how to tell you what has occurred in your absence.  So I will take the coward’s route and let the enclosed letters tell you the tale.  Read them in order.  I have another note for you at the end.

Matlock

Darcy knit his brow and setting aside his uncle’s cryptic note, turned to the numbered opened letters.  He picked up the first,
Collins?
And began to read.  He was on his feet instantly and swore loud enough to attract Layton’s attention from the library.  He came running in time to open the study door and see Darcy throw down Lady Catherine’s letter before reaching for the one from Mrs. Jenkinson.  Noticing his father’s handwriting, Layton began reading the letters as well.  Darcy finally came to the second letter from his uncle which described Rosings, Elizabeth’s shopping with the ladies, and finally the suspicions that gossip will soon be spreading.

“Elizabeth.”  He whispered.  “My love, what are you feeling?”  Darcy fell back into his chair, barely acknowledging Layton’s expletives as the vision of Elizabeth reading these letters and the pain she must have felt filled his mind.  “And you wrote me a love letter.”  He murmured.

“Darcy.”  Layton said again.  “DARCY!”

“Forgive me.”  He sat up and noticed that Layton held a letter in his hands.  “I did not see that letter, did I?”

“No, this is mine, from Alicia.  I suppose in your haste you forgot to send my post to me?”  He said with a slight smile.  He had picked up Elizabeth’s letter and immediately dropped it when he saw the contents.  “She says that Elizabeth is well.”

“How can she be well?  She had this fool parson telling her I was married!  A parson!”  He stood and paced.  “I should be there.”  Holding up the singed letter from Lady Catherine he shook it at Layton.  “I should have opened this instead of ignoring it.  I should have gone to Rosings and . . .”

“And what, Darcy?  You appearing at Rosings would have cemented this fabrication in the minds of every person who saw you, not to mention Anne.  The servants, this idiot Collins, and especially Aunt Catherine, she would have had you two married; you would have done your duty as you saw it, to protect Anne.”

“No, I would not have abandoned Elizabeth.”  He stated positively.

“I do not know, Darcy.  You cannot imagine the pressure of being there in person.  It is best that the situation was handled without you.”  He took a seat and crossed his legs, then noticed that his cousin was focussing an intense glare upon him.  “I am sorry if I have angered you by questioning your dedication to Elizabeth.  You cannot predict how you would have reacted had you been there anymore than you can fully imagine the panic Elizabeth felt when she was faced with these letters without you nearby.  However, without a doubt the gossip will be spreading quickly.  Alicia writes that they have been taking Elizabeth out very publicly, and making a great show of their acceptance and her preparations for the wedding.”

“Yes, Elizabeth referred to it.  She did not elaborate.”  He said softly, picking up her letter to see her barely mention the events.  “I am sure that she hates it.  No wonder returning to Longbourn seemed as if it were the best solution.”

“Alicia referred to that as well.”  Layton looked at Darcy who was lost in thought.  “Mother is correct, for Elizabeth to leave town now would be seen as confirmation that something is amiss between you.”

“Where there is smoke there is fire.”  He murmured.  “Speaking of which, there is nothing more that I can do here.  I must return to London.”

“Are you certain?  There is still much to be accomplished.”  He smiled at the incredulous expression.  “I am here to be your sounding board, Cousin.  I do not question your desire to return to her.”

“As you pointed out, I am not doing the cleaning, my very capable staff will do that, and I have given Mrs. Reynolds the funds to reward them all handsomely when they are finished.  The new roof over the kitchen will be up within a few more days, and that builder Singleton found for us has promised a completely outfitted and modern efficient kitchen to be in place within the month.  My presence here might spur the work on, but otherwise, my place is with Elizabeth.  Her letter begged me to return, and now I truly understand why.”  He looked up to see his cousin nodding.  “You agree?”

“Yes.  When shall we go?  Unless you would like me to remain?”

“I appreciate your offer, but as you are at last mending your marriage, I would not wish for my troubles to stand in the way.  Return with me.  I trust my people.”  He reached for a sheet and his pen.  “I will send an express today stating our intentions, and we will leave in the morning.”

“I will notify my valet.”  Layton rose and watched as Darcy’s mask fell into place, and he concentrated on the note.  “Darcy, she is well.”

“I will believe that only when I see her.”  He said shortly without looking up, and heard the door latch shut when his cousin departed.  Sighing, he sealed the note to his uncle, wrote another letter to Elizabeth, and summoned a footman to engage an express rider immediately.  He picked up all of the scattered letters, read them through again, and folded them to place in his desk.  Elizabeth’s he kept out and reaching behind him, found his old journal.  It fell open to that one special page.  “Lizzy, Longbourn, Gracechurch Street, Gardiner.”  He repeated the mantra.  Rising to his feet he opened the hidden safe and found the velvet bag that he remembered from the day months ago when he entertained Georgiana by examining the family jewels.  At the time he noted this particular piece, and how he wondered it would look upon Elizabeth.  He dared not imagine it would ever truly be hers, but now . . . “Elizabeth, Park Lane, Pemberley, Darcy.”  Clutching it in his hand he closed his eyes.  “I will be with you soon, my love.”

“COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.”  The footman announced. 

Evangeline stood and smiled, “Please come in sir, and take a seat.”

Fitzwilliam advanced, feeling unusually nervous and carefully arranging his sword, accepted the chair.  He smiled a little, and seeing her waiting expectantly finally burst out with some nonsense.  “This is a very fine room.”

“Yes, it is.”  Taking pity on him she laughed.  “Colonel are you this nervous on the battlefield?”

He relaxed and shook his head.  “No Mrs. Carter, I am not.  In fact I cannot remember feeling this nervous since I received my last reprimand from my father.”

“And when was that?”

“Last Tuesday, as I recall.”  He smiled and she smiled in return.  “Forgive me; I am very unaccustomed to this whole courtship ritual.”

“Is that what it is?”  She tilted her head.

“Mrs. Carter, I have espoused for some time that I truly dislike the dance that men and women must play, talking about the weather instead of getting down to the gist of the matter.  Too much question hanging in the air when a simple statement can clear up so much hesitancy and confusion.”

“Such as what my brother experienced with Miss Bennet.” 

“Precisely.”  Fitzwilliam happily seized the example.  “Undoubtedly being a man married, he knows exactly what he wants and needs, but Miss Bennet being a maiden can only play by the rules laid down in the etiquette manuals.”

“Or her mother.”

“I think that Miss Bennet’s manners are most certainly not inspired by her mother’s teachings, Mrs. Carter.”

“Well, I cannot argue entirely with that.  So sir, what does all of this have to do with . . .”

“Us.”

“Us, sir?”

“Mrs. Carter, you were married, please do not leave me dangling here.  Please acknowledge that you know of what I am speaking!”

“Very well sir, I do.  And I also know that no woman in her right mind would wish to remarry having at last achieved financial independence with the death of her husband.  She would be seen as quite wanton, would she not?  Why would she give up her control to another man, especially after experiencing such a marriage as I have?”