Apprehension and Desire: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (20 page)

We had a most unexpected guest today. Your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park,  paid us an unannounced visit. She came with her daughter and wanted to know whether the news of our engagement was true. When I confirmed it, showing her your mother’s ring, she became extremely vexed. She claimed that you had been engaged to Anne from your earliest years, and that our understanding could not be in such case respected or valid.

She demanded I promise to break any relations with you and swear never to approach you again. When I refused, stating that you would have never proposed marriage to me while being engaged to someone else, she left Longbourn, extremely angry, and without saying goodbye to any of us. She also said that it was not the end and that she would not leave this matter alone, unfinished. I think it is probable that she may pay a visit to you as well.

I must end now because the servant awaits to post this letter yet today. I fear only that I was not as polite towards your relative as I should have been. I think that I insulted her at some point of her visit, losing any sense of decorum when addressing her. You know only too well that I am capable of saying things in a manner which a proper lady should not practise.

Yours,

E. B.

Darcy read the letter twice more. He could only imagine how his aunt had acted at Longbourn, and shame burned within him. What a hypocrite he was, criticizing Elizabeth’s family, when his own aunt was capable to behave in such a way. The situation was his own fault to a large degree. He had written to Matlock, informing his uncle, the earl, about his engagement, but he had purposely ignored Lady Catherine in this duty. He had feared her reaction, and he had been right.  Now Elizabeth and the Bennets had paid the consequences, having been exposed to his aunt’s ire. Elizabeth was right that Catherine might come to Pemberley any day, demanding he call off his engagement to Elizabeth and marry Anne.

He returned to his desk and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper. First he needed to write to Elizabeth, to assure her of his love and devotion and to apologize for this shameful incident.

***

The following day, after long hours spent on horseback, monitoring the summer works on the estate, Darcy relaxed in the comfort of the smaller drawing room, nursing a glass of wine. Georgiana played a new song that she had learned recently, and the only thing he missed now, which would make this evening perfect, was Elizabeth, snuggled against his side. Just two months, he reminded himself. Nine weeks exactly, and he would have her here, next to him.

The music stopped in the middle of the passage. “Cousin, Richard!” Georgiana exclaimed and ran towards a man who had just entered.

Darcy stood up and walked to the guest who was hugging his sister and placing a brotherly kiss on the top of her head.

“Richard, we did not expect to see you,” he smiled. “Welcome.”

The men shook hands.

“I was granted a short leave and decided to use it to visit my parents,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said as he sat down on the sofa.

“Have you been to Matlock already?” Darcy wanted to know.

“Yes, I have been visiting my parents for the last week or so.”

Darcy patted his back. “We are glad you came to us. We have not yet sat to dinner. You must eat with us and stay as long as you can.” He turned to Georgiana, “Dearest, please tell Mrs. Reynolds to prepare an additional setting at the table and make sure that Colonel Fitzwilliam’s usual room is ready.”

“Yes, brother.” Georgiana dropped a curtsey and fled from the room.

“I came with a purpose,” the colonel said when Georgiana left. “To warn you.”

Darcy stood up to pour a drink for their guest. “Warn me?”

“Lady Catherine paid an unexpected visit to my parents, arriving yesterday, quite late in the evening. I must say that she is quite put out with the news of your engagement to Miss Bennet.”

Darcy returned to the sofa, handing his cousin a tall glass of brandy.

The colonel raised an eyebrow as he took the drink. “You do not seem in the least surprised.”

Darcy sat back into his chair. “I expected it. I received a letter from Elizabeth yesterday. She wrote that our aunt  paid, let us say, her respects to her family.”

“Ouch.” Colonel Fitzwilliam twisted his face as if in pain, “Miss Bennet’s parents must have thought that their daughter was about to enter a rather interesting family.”

Darcy gave him a heavy look. “I prefer not to think how our dear aunt acted there. The tone of Elizabeth’s letter was very tactful, but there is no doubt that Lady Catherine made quite a scene at Longbourn. She insisted that I was engaged to Anne in front of Elizabeth’s parents. Can you imagine that?”

The other man nodded. “Yes, she spoke the same to my parents.”

Darcy leaned forward. “What was their reaction?”

Fitzwilliam took a hearty sip. “Do not worry, Darcy, they have no intention of supporting her on this. Father told her that you were an adult, your own master and he would not interfere in your decision concerning the choice of a wife.”

Darcy’s eyebrows raised. “I did not expect that.”

“I think he learned something after Edward’s arranged marriage.”

“And how is Edward?” Darcy changed the subject. “Has something changed in his situation?”

“Oh, yes,” the colonel smiled. “He is very well, happy being a father.”

“So soon? When did it happen?”

“Ten days ago. The mother and the child feel well, and my brother is over the moon.”

“And the earl? What was his reaction?”

“He pretended not to acknowledge the news, not to hear it even, but I think that it is just a matter of time before he will wish to see the boy. My mother openly said she wanted to see her only grandchild. She bought out half the store with toys and children's clothes, and we went together to pay our respects.”

“And?”

“That woman... surprised me. She is very charming and pretty, not in the least resembling a harlot... Seems very sensible too.”

“And the baby?”

“My mother swears he looks exactly like Edward and me when we were born, but I failed to find any resemblance. The infant looks healthy and strong, to be sure, a rather big boy, like any other newborn baby, I imagine.”

“Last time we saw each other, Edward mentioned they lived at Harwood Hall.”

“Yes, the estate he inherited from our late aunt. You did not know her, I believe. Edward signed it over to the child’s mother, so if anything happened to him, they would be secured.”

“That is very wise. What is the child’s surname?”

“James Fitzwilliam.”

“Indeed? I must say that I thought it would bear its mother’s name.”

“No.” The colonel shook his head, “I think that Edward would not have it any different. He was very serious about it. ”

“What about his wife?” Darcy asked. “Will she not try to do something against his new family?”

“No, believe me, she will sit quietly in London. Edward has in his possession a letter compromising her in a way that... would ruin her family’s reputation. Perhaps you have heard that her brother, Lord X, is in politics, and they do not wish for any scandals.”

“I know that she has had lovers, but is there something more...?” Darcy’s voice traced.

His cousin hesitated. “You must keep it to yourself.”

Darcy nodded. “Of course.”

Colonel leaned forward. “She took part in... let us say, very private parties for the chosen ones. She all alone and some twenty men, each of them... having a special time with her. I think that I do not have to finish, you can imagine the rest.”

The repulsion was obvious on Darcy’s face. “Good God... That is a blessing indeed she never became with child. Edward would have to give his name to no one knows whose son.”

“My father does not know anything about it. My brother thought it would be too much for him. You remember how he pressed him into this marriage.”

Darcy raked his hand through his hair. “It sounds like some nightmare, his own wife. I am speechless... poor Edward.”

“You can see now why I do not blame him that he left her and started a new life with someone else.”

“Neither do I,” Darcy agreed. “I should send something for the baby. I will wait for Elizabeth, and perhaps she would advise me on the right thing. She will be here in two weeks' time.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled. “I see that you are pleased with her visit.”

Darcy tried not to grin like a fool. “She is travelling the country with her aunt and uncle, and they will stop here. The wedding is in Hertfordshire the last Saturday of September. You are invited.”

“Thank you, but I will not be able to participate, I am afraid.”

“You must visit us then on your next leave.”

“I will, certainly. Thank you for the invitation. I will not miss the pleasure of talking again with the delectable Miss Bennet.”

Darcy scowled. “She will be Mrs. Darcy by that time.  Please remember it.”

“Come now, Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “Do not glare at me like that. I will not try to sway her from you. I only acclaim your choice. I would do exactly the same in your position, could I afford to marry her.”

***

Darcy woke to the sound of the rain drumming against the windows. Today was the day of Elizabeth and the Gardiners’ arrival. He dragged himself out of bed. A period of beautiful, balmy, weather had held for the past days, but this very morning, when he wanted everything to be perfect for her, dark, low clouds covered the sky completely, and strong winds tore at the trees. His strong wishes that she could see Pemberley in its all glory, unfortunately, were all in vain.

The guests were expected in the early afternoon, around one o’clock. He had planned many tasks to occupy himself till midday, so the time would pass quickly for him.

When no carriage arrived by two o’clock, he began to worry. In such weather, it was possible an accident had occurred. At last, at half past two, they came.

There was no opportunity to welcome the guests outside, so they were rushed inside the great hall.

From the first look at her, Darcy knew that Elizabeth was not at her best. She was polite and welcoming towards everyone, and she smiled at the servants who came to have a peek at their future Mistress. However, her complexion was unusually pale, lacking its usual healthy glow. Her eyes did not sparkle, but had a hollow look to them. Even her lips, usually a vivid pink, now almost matched the whiteness of her face.

Concentrating on Elizabeth, he paid little attention to her relatives. Realizing his rudeness, he greeted them graciously, having in mind how Elizabeth favoured them and how sensitive she was about his polite performance in front of her friends, relatives and newly acquainted people in general. Immediately on seeing them, he was surprised with their age as he had expected a middle aged couple, not people just a few years his senior. He noticed that they spoke in low, pleasantly modulated voices, not at all similar to his future mother-in-law's shrieks. From what he remembered, Mr. Gardiner was Mrs. Bennet’s brother, which was surprising, because he seemed nothing like his sister, and even his facial features were different. He was still a young man in his middle thirties, while his wife was a pleasant looking, handsome blonde around thirty years old. The couple was dressed well, even in a refined way, especially Mrs. Gardiner, who carried herself with grace.

Convinced that the Gardiners were worldly enough and should not cause any shame to Pemberley, he returned all his attention to his beloved.

They sat in the drawing room, taking tea in small sips. Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana, who talked about the plans that had been made for their stay.

“Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Gardiner's voice made him look away from the only true object of his interest.

He bowed his head, “Yes, madam.”

“I think that my niece is tired.”

Darcy’s eyes went to Elizabeth, “Are you well?”

“Just a slight headache,” she admitted.

“We had a taxing journey,” Mr. Gardiner noted, looking at his wife.

“Yes, of course. I will ask Mrs. Reynolds to show you to your apartments.”

Mr. Gardiner stood up and offered an arm to his wife. Before Elizabeth managed to lift herself, Darcy was beside her. She leaned against him heavily, and as he covered her small  hand with his, he discovered it was icy cold. Had she caught a cold?

He was not relieved when Elizabeth disappeared into her rooms. She looked ill. Perhaps she needed a physician.

He managed to stay away for three quarters of an hour before storming the stairs. Seeing no one in the corridor, he knocked at her door. Silence. He knocked again.

“Enter,” a hoarse voice was heard.

He walked inside and closed the door quickly. He swallowed. She sat in the middle of the big bed, wearing what seemed to be only her robe and undergarments, a heavy looking mass of dark curls hanging down her back, her big eyes staring at him.

“Forgive me,” he managed to say. “I was worried.”

She held her hand out to him.

“I am sorry; it is not the best day for me,” she said as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I will be myself by dinner time, I promise.”