Chapter 38

The harvest arrived long before they were ready. In their last week at the estate, the couple retired earlier each night, trying to capture the last moments of their time together.

Too soon, however, they were on their way to London. Lady Matlock had written to them informing them of her plans for introducing the new Mrs. Darcy to society, and they had written back telling their aunt the limitations they had decided while traversing Elizabeth's first season in the ton.

When they presented themselves at Matlock House, after exchanging a few words of greeting with the lady of the house, they were welcomed by two excited sisters and a cousin.

Anne, Georgiana, and Mary all appeared in the doorway. "We heard what you said about Mary and me joining you at Darcy House, but we have already decided to go to Rosings to visit Anne," Georgiana cried. Then, remembering herself, she dropped her eyes and spoke in a subdued tone. "That is, if you agree, brother."

Darcy smiled at his once shy sister's exuberance. "If you and Mary wish to go with Anne to Rosings, I will approve it. You know that we will be very occupied with attending events and unable to spend as much time with you as we like, so if you prefer the country to town, I cannot fault you. Have you already decided when to depart?"

"Uncle has nearly finished helping me transfer Rosings into my control. Both you and he will remain trustees, and I will rely upon your advice, but I am ready to return home. I believe another fortnight should be enough to ensure that all is prepared, although we will wait until after the ball," Anne offered. "Mrs. Annesley is in favour of this, as is my new companion, Mrs. Whitman. Mrs. Jenkinson accepted the pension we offered after Mother was sent to Wales and has gone to live with her daughter. Richard has offered to escort us when we go to assist with any staff issues, and stay at Rosings for a sennight. I intend to invite the entire family to join us for Christmas."

With a glance at Elizabeth, Darcy nodded his agreement to the plans. Before he could speak, Lady Matlock indicated they should all be seated. Darcy and Elizabeth sat next to each other on a settee while the others scattered around the room. Finally, Darcy replied, "Yes, he mentioned in his last letter that he intended to accompany you to Rosings. Is there anything that I can do to assist at this time?"

"Yes, cousin. Please continue to make your annual visits at Easter to review the books, though you are welcome to visit more often. I know that Mother made it difficult for you to visit more frequently, but she is no longer there, and you are married, so you can have no more reason to fear me." This last was said in such a solemn tone that it was difficult not to laugh at the face she made.

"Thank you, Anne. I am glad to continue my annual visit, and I hope it will be more pleasant in the future—in part due to my wife and the fact that, with you and so many of my sisters there, it will be far livelier than in the past."

Anne grinned mischievously at him. "It should indeed be far livelier. Also, did anyone tell you about the fate of our former rector?"

"Former?" Elizabeth cried. "I confess, I had not thought of Mr. Collins since he left Lambton and have not written to Charlotte in some time. Did he never return to Hunsford?"

"He did. However, he disappeared only a few days later, shortly after the news arrived at Rosings that Mother was no longer in charge of the estate. As I understand it, he attempted to ‘rescue' my mother from the manor in Wales, though how he discovered she was there, I do not know, since none of the staff at Rosings was informed of her location. The staff our uncle hired made it clear that no visitors were permitted without his express approval, so when Mr. Collins attempted to force his way into the house, he made it as far as the main stairwell before some of the footmen accosted him, only knowing he was an intruder. In the struggle, he fell, breaking his neck in the process."

"Oh my!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "How terrible."

"Is it?" Darcy asked coolly. "He was not a sensible man, Elizabeth, and was attempting to assist Lady Catherine, who we believe is responsible for two deaths in the family and for keeping her daughter ill for years, not to mention ordering your own death. Perhaps I should feel sorry for the fool, but is the world not better off for his not being in it?"

"You may be correct, but it is sad that he died in such a way. He was distantly related to me." She sat up suddenly. "Has anyone notified my uncles? Particularly my Uncle Phillips? Who will inherit Longbourn?"

"As I understand it, Uncle James has contacted Mr. Phillips and Mr. Gardiner. I know you have not been in contact with Mrs. Collins since you married, but she is with child, making the outcome of the entail dependent on the child she bears. I do not believe anyone has bothered to inform Mr. or Mrs. Bennet unless Mr. Phillips took it upon himself to do so," Anne replied. "Mrs. Gardiner or Miss Bennet may know something when you see her on Monday."

The conversation continued around them, about events they would attend and some shopping excursions, but Darcy noted Elizabeth's silence and placed his arm around her, whispering, "Are you well, dearest?"

She sighed. "I was thinking of my father and wondering how he would react to this news. The letters from Longbourn's steward indicate he is just as indolent as before. He simply sits in his study and reads, though he expressed frustration when the shopkeepers deny him any credit. My mother has written to my sisters, though not to me, which I cannot understand. She has not demanded that they return home, but she complains about how lonely she is."

"Your uncle's letters say she has bragged to the entire neighbourhood about her new connection to the Earl and Countess of Matlock and how all her daughters will marry well as a result. I do not know why she has not written to you, though I suppose your father may have done something to her letters to you. Is he angry enough to have done something like that?" Darcy asked curiously.

Elizabeth looked thoughtful and disappointed. "If he did, it would not be out of anger but out of pettiness. I will have to write to Aunt Phillips to ask her. She is not capable of subtlety, but perhaps she would be able to find out if Mama has written to me."

Lady Matlock turned the conversation back to her plans for introducing Elizabeth to the ton, including the many shopping trips that would be required over the next weeks. After this went on for some time, Darcy felt Elizabeth sag tiredly slightly against him. She already hated the artifice of the ton that made all of this necessary, though she went along with it for his sake and Georgiana's. Her acceptance would also eventually influence their children, so she listened to all the plans and nodded, hoping it would not be as daunting as it seemed.

When they arrived home later that afternoon, Darcy returned to the conversation about her father.

"Would you like to visit Longbourn, my dear?" he asked. "We could easily travel there for a day or two."

"Yes and no. I feel we must visit before we return to Pemberley, if for no other reason than to check on the tenants and to ensure that all is well. Though I am uncertain of where she is staying, I would also like to see Charlotte and a few others in Meryton. I hope Mama will enjoy a visit. My birthday is soon, and I will be of age then, so there is nothing my father could do to me. However, if he is petty enough to take or destroy letters sent to me by Mama, then I cannot imagine that seeing him will be pleasant. He has always been sardonic, and now the full force of his biting wit will be turned fully upon me."

"I will not allow him to abuse you, Elizabeth, nor will I let you face him alone. Whatever he has to say, he will say it to both of us."

She smiled at him tenderly. "Thank you, William. I am so appreciative of your support. You will make an excellent father."

He looked at her questioningly. Could she mean…?

"We have been married for several months, William. I have not had my courses since late June. While I have not yet felt the quickening, I received a letter from my Aunt Gardiner today in which she answered my questions about possible signs of the condition. Not only have my courses ceased, but my breasts are tender, and I have noticed of late that certain smells make me queasy. I have not yet cast up my accounts, but surely you have noticed I am a little more tired than usual."

Darcy had not noticed any of those things. "Do you truly think…?" He trailed off, unwilling to say the words out loud.

"Yes, my dear, I think you may be a father before long. What… what do you think of that idea?"

He did not speak for a moment. He could not—his heart was too full. "Truly, Elizabeth?"

She only nodded.

He stood suddenly, bringing her with him. He gathered her in his arms and twirled her about. "Truly, Elizabeth? I will be a father? You are… you are with child?"

Again, she nodded, smiling lovingly at him. "Yes, William. It is not certain, but it is very likely."

Darcy bent his head and passionately kissed her. Still holding her in his arms, he carried her into the bedroom, showing her exactly how pleased he was with her news.

Darcy feltthe ball to introduce Elizabeth to the ton was a success, though he judged that mainly on how beautiful his wife appeared in her dress and the fact that he managed to dance with her three times. This was quite scandalous in the eyes of some of the matrons of society, but Darcy had not cared. His lovely wife had been slightly embarrassed by his focused attention in front of so many, but she had allowed him to pull her onto the dance floor again for the supper and final sets.

Since the ball was in their honour, they had led off the dancing. From the moment their eyes met across the line, it had seemed the rest of the room faded away leaving only the two of them and the music. There were a few murmurings from the jealous harpies as they danced, but most acknowledged that after seeing the two together, they were well suited.

Or at least, that is what Lady Matlock told them. If Darcy or Elizabeth felt disdain from others in attendance, they said nothing to anyone else, and Elizabeth's dance card was filled soon after the first dance was over. Despite his aunt's insistence to the contrary, Darcy danced only with his wife, his sisters, and his cousin, preferring to watch over his wife. Each time a partner led her away, his eyes followed her until she was safely returned to him. Even when he danced with the others, he ensured he was next to his wife's partner in the line, allowing him to continue to watch over her.

This led to one overheard comment and a further solidification of Darcy's feeling for his wife.

"Just look at him," a shrill voice said. "He already knows he had made a mistake by marrying so beneath him and he watches her to ensure she does not embarrass him."

A second voice sounded less certain. "They say it is a love match. He is watching her, yes, but he has always been inscrutable. One never knows what he is thinking. He might not smile, but she certainly does, and he appears, I do not know, somehow softer, when she is by his side."

"A love match," the first voice scoffed. "That is such a foolish notion. He would have been far better to marry a woman of breeding and wealth. He will tire of her soon; she is not even that pretty."

"You are right," Darcy's deep voice interjected. "‘Pretty' is far too tame a word to describe my wife's beauty. She is not only lovely on the outside but also equally lovely within, which is a rare quality. I will never lose interest in her, for I did not marry beneath me; my wife surpasses me in every way that truly matters."

With these words, the two women were silenced, as well as those around them who heard the exchange. Darcy stalked away to claim his wife for the supper set, which, at his prodding, was a waltz. He took his wife into his arms for the second time that evening, completely unaware of the stares that followed the couple. Throughout the rest of the evening, he watched his wife intently whenever she was parted from him, and delighted each time she returned, unaffected by anyone's opinion about the match.

Elizabeth was delightedwith the evening. When she appeared downstairs in her dress, deliberately timed for maximum effect, her husband's eyes heated in the way she adored. However, they were in a public room of the house, and the Gardiners and Jane had arrived early to accompany them to the ball. Her husband was clearly disappointed at his inability to touch her as he wished and impishly, she delighted in his reaction to her.

This dress was one of her favourites, showcasing her figure perfectly, and she felt beautiful in it. Between the dress, and the emeralds that adorned her neck and ears, she felt prepared to encounter the jealous harpies and all of those who would look down on her that evening. She did not expect to be universally admired, but the beautiful dress gave her confidence, well, that and the look in her husband's eye when he first saw her in it.

"You look exquisite, my love," he breathed, ignoring propriety for a moment as he leaned down to kiss her lips lightly. "I knew I should not have allowed you to send me from your dressing room earlier. I cannot kiss you as I wish here."

She smiled devilishly at him. "If I had not sent you downstairs, you might not have let me leave our rooms, dearest. Your aunt would never forgive us if we did not arrive at all tonight, and she had been adamant that we arrive early."

He sighed and Elizabeth giggled at the resigned look on his face. "I have already saved three dances for you, as we discussed. That will frustrate her enough, so be happy that I am willing to defy her on this matter."

Reluctantly, he released her and the two stepped into the parlour where the Gardiners and Jane were waiting. After a short greeting, the five boarded a carriage for the short ride to Matlock House where the ball was to be held.

The three ladies gushed over the decorations and the overall loveliness of the room. "Aunt Eleanor," Elizabeth cried upon entry, "the room is magnificent. You have quite outdone yourself."

"Thank you, Elizabeth, but you have helped as well. Now, you and Darcy are to join us in the receiving line," she commanded, as she invited the others to take from the refreshments she ordered for this purpose. Soon, others began to arrive, and Elizabeth endured the many introductions with Darcy there for support.

After what felt like a long time, but was probably less than an hour in all, the receiving line was done, and the two couples made their way into the ballroom. The earl got everyone's attention and made his presentation of the couple, expressing his extreme pleasure at his nephew's match. This, along with the ball itself, demonstrated Lord and Lady Matlock's support for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth still heard a few comments about her unsuitableness as Mrs. Darcy and it was clear that many were jealous of the unknown lady who had won the affection of a much sought-after bachelor. Regardless, she pasted on a smile, though when she looked at her husband, it became genuine, and her love shone from her eyes each time she gazed at him. This was enough for some, particularly close friends of Lady Matlock, and their acceptance did much to smooth her entrance into society.

At the end of the night, she was delighted to be taken into her husband's arms once more, for yet another waltz. The dance did not end when they left, and the couple continued their dance late into the night.