Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (73 page)

“Certainly.”  He led the way back to his study.  Darcy closed the door and they took their seats.  “How are you, sir?”

“Very tired.”  Darcy admitted, then straightening, leaned forward.  “Sir, when I left here to search for Elizabeth, I took a detour on the way to Bond Street.”

“Yes?” 

“I stopped at my parish, St. Georges, and spoke to Reverend Hodgson.  He said that he is free to marry us any morning at ten.  That is exactly what I wish to do.  I wish to marry Elizabeth tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”  He sat up and stared.  “Sir, is that not . . .”

“The best solution to this mess?”  Darcy gripped the arms of his chair.  “I will be married, yes, to the proper woman.  The announcement would be published, the register signed, the gossip would die instantly.  Why suffer through weeks of speculation?  Even if Elizabeth appeared with me everywhere I go, there would be those who say I am merely walking with my mistress.  The speculation that surfaced at my uncle’s ball will be touted as the truth.  If we are married, it is over, and we can go on with our lives.  Sir, it is the one clear solution.  I applied for a special license in anticipation of our marrying at my home.  I have it in hand; it was waiting on my desk when I returned today.  Marrying in the church is not the private ceremony that I hoped for, but I know that the slightly more public venue may prove beneficial.  I am ready for this, and after I speak to Elizabeth, I am sure that she will agree that this is the best course.”

“Her parents would miss the ceremony.”  Mr. Gardiner said and rubbed his chin.  “Her father was looking forward to giving her away, and I do not mean that to sound . . .”

“That he is glad to be rid of her, no I did not think so.”  Darcy sighed.  “Then send them an express and my carriage, and we will bring them here for the day.”

“And the sisters?”

“I leave that to Elizabeth to decide.”

“I see the merit in your plan, sir.”  He paused and thought out his next words.  “Are you certain that you are advancing the wedding date purely for reasons to end this gossip, and not merely because Elizabeth would be your wife three weeks earlier?”

“I hear you, sir.”  Darcy’s voice was earnest.  “I love her; this separation of days was more painful than the separation of years because now I know her.  She is everything that is dear to me, and I want to show her my love in every possible way.  This situation is hurtful to both of us, and I want to end it and comfort her as only a husband can.  Do you not feel the same for your wife when she needs you?”

“I do.”  Mr. Gardiner smiled.  “I believe that as Lizzy’s father is absent and yours is gone, I am trying to fill the role of both for you.”

“I hope that you will continue to do so in the future.  I undoubtedly will need your advice.”  Darcy smiled and stood.  “May I speak to Elizabeth now?”

“Stay here, I will send her in.”  Mr. Gardiner left the room and Darcy paced around, looking at the bookshelves and rehearsing the speech he had practiced for the last three days. 

“Fitzwilliam?  You wished to see me?”  Elizabeth asked from the doorway.

“Yes, please come in.”  He took her hand and smiled, leading her forward and closing the door.  Taking both hands in his he drew breath and was struck dumb by the trust and love he saw shining from her eyes. 

“Yes?”  She asked softly.  “It was a plan?”  He nodded.  “To end the gossip?”

“Yes.” 

Elizabeth smiled and reached up to caress his sweet face.  “And how shall we do that?”

He leaned his cheek into her hand and wordlessly reached into his pocket, then taking her left hand in his pressed something into her palm.  “Wear this for me.”

She opened her hand to find a beautiful, finely engraved circle of gold.  She covered her mouth and cried, “Oh!”

Darcy picked up the ring and held it carefully.  “This was my mother’s ring.  I dared not dream that you would ever wear it, but I . . .I wish you to begin . . .tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!”  She gasped. 

“If you wish, or . . . I know that you want your father to give you away, we can send for your family to come and . . . marry the day following, please dearest, I know that you wish for it as I do, you said so in your letter.  I want you to be my wife, shutting up the noise of the gossips will be a happy coincidence.”

“We would still marry at your home?”

“Ours, and no, we would marry at our church, just to be sure that . . . well, it would be more public.”  Darcy watched her intently.  “Dearest?”

“Yes.”  She nodded and smiled up at him, tears were rolling down her cheeks.  “Yes, yes, yes!”

Darcy picked her up and hugged her, spinning her around and laughing.  “Thank you!”  Setting her down he kissed her and beaming, caressed the long curls that spilled down her back.  “I am . . . I am so happy.”

“As am I.”  She hugged him and laid her face against his chest, while he kissed her hair then rested his cheek on her head.  “I would like my father to give me away, Fitzwilliam.  I know that you do not like my family . . .”

“Shhhh.  If it is your wish, then they will be here.”  He kissed her forehead.  “I am certain that for your wedding day, they will be considerate.”

“I will write to Papa and . . .”

“I will, too.”  Darcy whispered.  “And I will tell my uncle.”  There was a knock at the door and Mr. Gardiner opened it.  The couple did not break apart with his entry.  

“So?”

“In two days, sir.”  Darcy said with a smile.  “In two days we will wed.”

ELIZABETH SAT UP IN HER ROOM ALONE, her shoulders drooped with exhaustion.  Darcy’s return lifted the burden that bravery had forced her to carry.  In a matter of hours, they would be married and at last they could begin.  She picked up her pen and began to write.

19 June 1809

Fitzwilliam returned, he looked so tired, but so happy to find me.  I cannot begin to describe the relief and happiness I felt to at last be in his arms again.  All I wanted to do was to stay there and forget everything that was swirling around us.  But of course Aunt made us separate and we returned to Gracechurch Street.  I was called back to Uncle’s study and learned of Fitzwilliam’s plan to have us wed in the morning.  As dearly as I wished to agree, I knew that I must at the least ask Papa to come.  I do not want Mama here, but I cannot outright ask that she not come.  I pray that she and my sisters curb their tongues.  All that I want is to be married and at last love my husband, he needs me as much as I need him.  I will spend tomorrow packing up my things and send them over to Darcy House.  I suppose that Madame Dupree will have to take down the display of my wedding clothes.  It is a tradition that I did not understand until coming to London, but I was so proud to see my name with Fitzwilliam’s there in her window.  The solid truth of our engagement was there for all to see, and in two days, the proof of it will be on my finger when he gives me his mother’s ring.

20 JUNE 1809

Returning to London was hardly the reunion I expected.  After defending myself from Stewart’s outrage and searching the fashionable shops for Elizabeth, I was ready to simply bundle her onto my horse and set off for Gretna Green.  But then, I was so tired I probably would have fallen off at some point, and there my dear Elizabeth would be, undoubtedly holding her hand over her mouth to contain her laughter at my ridiculous romantic notions.  Well, it is done.  I wrote a note to Uncle of our decision to wed tomorrow, and I am sure that he will appear very soon.  There is no better solution, as far as I am concerned.  I wondered if word of the fire at Pemberley might have helped to change the opinions of gossips, at least that would have been a good reason for me to be away.  But the more that I think on it, the more I realize that such information would also have been twisted to suit whatever story held the most satisfaction for these fools. 

I have forwarded Elizabeth’s letter to her father and mine, as well as Mr. Gardiner’s, to Mr. Bennet.  I specifically requested that Mrs. Bennet stay at Longbourn.  I cannot bear to see Elizabeth cry anything but happy tears on our wedding day, and I do not wish to spend my time hoping that someone is guarding her mother’s tongue.  I believe that Mr. Bennet will control his remarks, but if his wife is present, he may not be able to help himself.  The staff is delighted with the news that their new mistress will arrive tomorrow.  And I discovered that the new furnishings were delivered so we will indeed have a master suite to enjoy for our wedding night.  Our bed, I will not sleep there tonight, I will await my bride. 

I know that I should have returned to Matlock House to speak to Georgiana about Pemberley, but Layton will surely have passed on the news.  She knows nothing of Aunt Catherine’s machinations, so I hope that she accepts whatever explanation Aunt Helen has given her for our advanced wedding date.  Undoubtedly that will give rise to speculation of Elizabeth’s sure pregnancy, and if we are blessed with a child born of our honeymoon, I have no doubt that the gossips will be counting back the months as well. At least that is one embarrassment we have managed to avoid.

My Elizabeth continues her remarkable brave front.  She admitted to being frightened, but I know that she deeply needs this drama to end.  I felt her cling to me, and I dearly wanted to reassure her.  Tomorrow, my love, tomorrow it will be over.  No more gossip can touch us, and no other person will drive us apart.  Let them talk all they wish, we will be together.

Darcy looked up from his journal when Bingley was announced and set down his pen.  He rose to greet him and they both took their seats.  “You are about early this morning.”

“Forgive the hour, Darcy, but I heard you had returned and was anxious for news.”

Darcy smiled grimly.  “On what subject, there seem to be a plethora from which to choose.” 

“Well, I know that the tales of your alleged wedding are false . . .are they not?”  Bingley asked worriedly.

“They are, and I thank you for your efforts to dispel them.” 

He smiled and shrugged.  “Well I tried.  I think that far too many of them found it far too amusing to drop though.  Is it true that you were brawling with Stewart on your front step?”

“I knew that would not go without observation.”  Darcy sighed.  “And I suppose that nobody mentioned that I invited him inside?”

“No . . .No, they spoke only of the blood and teeth flying.”  Bingley laughed to see Darcy’s eyes roll.  “Yours seem intact and your face is undeniably handsome . . .” Darcy fixed him with his steely glare and Bingley’s amusement grew.  “So it was vastly inflated, what was it about?”

“My supposed bad behaviour towards a worthy woman.” 

“What does Stewart have to do with that?”  Bingley asked curiously.  “I mean the sentiment is admirable . . .”

“He was a neighbour of the Bennets, actually at that estate Miss Bennet mentioned once, Netherfield.  You might approach him for an opinion sometime.”

“I will, I will.”  Bingley’s brow furrowed as Darcy seemingly skirted the subject.  “Well, onto the issue of the worthy woman, what of these rumours, what can you do?  They are rampant, I am afraid.”

“Which is why I will marry Elizabeth tomorrow.  I hope that you will attend?  I was just about to send you a note.”

“Tomorrow?”  Bingley sat forward.  “Is another . . . what is it, three weeks, not soon enough?”

“No.”

“Oh.”  He cleared his throat and smiled.  “Well then, where and when?”

“St. Georges, at ten.”

“I will be there in my Sunday best.”  Bingley laughed.  “Have you a new coat for the occasion? I understand the blue is the colour for grooms.”  Seeing the raised brows he laughed. “Caroline.  Speaking of which, she seems to have caught herself a serious suitor.  He visits nearly daily, and they seem to get on well.  In fact, he just may have achieved the impossible and finally distracted her from wishes for you.”

“I have enough women in my life wishing to be my wife, I am happy to have lost your sister.”  Darcy said dryly. 

“I am not sure though, they were laughing rather cruelly over your marriage to your cousin, but when I mentioned Pemberley’s fire; you would have thought that it was her home that burned.”  Bingley grinned to see Darcy’s confusion.  “I know, I wonder if her initial reaction was just jealousy that she lost you, but her second was seemingly genuine, after all her suitor . . . that is right!  Her suitor knows you!  He says that he grew up at Pemberley!”

“He grew up there?”  Darcy’s confusion grew.  “He claims to have lived in the house?”

“No . . .he said that he grew up in his father’s house.  Hmm.”

“Well what is his name?”  Darcy demanded.  “If he is using mine to forge a connection, I should like to know who . . .”

“Lord and Lady Matlock, sir.”  Foster announced.  Both men rose to their feet.

“Darcy!”  Lady Matlock bustled into the room then stopped.  “Mr. Bingley, good morning.”

“Good morning, madam, sir.”  He bowed and smiled. “I am sure that you have family matters to discuss. I will see you tomorrow, Darcy, ten o’clock.”

“Thank you, Bingley.”  The three stood and listened until Bingley’s steps faded and the front door closed.  Lord Matlock closed the study door and his wife sat down and stared at her nephew.  “A wedding tomorrow!”  Lady Matlock cried.

“Yes Aunt, I wish to put an end to Aunt Catherine’s machinations immediately.  The only way to do that is to be married to Elizabeth as soon as possible.  If she did not wish for her father’s presence we would be marrying in two hours instead of six and twenty.  I do not see the problem.”

“And when was the last time that you planned a wedding breakfast, nephew?”  She fumed. 

“Why does it have to be anything more than a simple affair for our family and friends?  A cake, some punch, what else is needed?” 

“Darcy, you are entering dangerous territory.  Do not question a woman on the subject of weddings.”  Lord Matlock laughed then continued.  “I think that we should listen to Georgiana’s suggestion.”

“Georgiana?  What did she have to say?” 

“She suggested a small breakfast for the family and then hold a larger reception for all of your friends in a few days when there has been time to prepare.  I thought it was very sensible.”  He looked at his wife then winked at Darcy.