Chapter 27

Lady Maria Leonard was sure that her young friend and protégé was unaware that she was twitching with each thrust and parry of the officers in front of her. The Cuidad Rodrigo Celebration Tournament, the full name of the social spectacle happening all around them, was a huge success. The south east facing grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea had been transformed into a huge multi-salle arena. There were four duels happening simultaneously so each quadrant was packed with the supporters of the officers fighting in that quarter of the draw. The tournament had 64 participants so each quadrant had 16 soldiers fighting duels to find the best two in that quadrant. The Eastern quadrant, closest to the River Thames, was the exclusive preserve of the Royal Navy. This would ensure that there were at least two naval officers in the final eight. In the centre of the arena, raised slightly, was the salle where the final eight competitors would fight. There had been significant planning and preparation to make the event run smoothly. The one aspect that was beyond anyone’s control had cooperated. It was not a warm Spring day, far from it, but although the sky was overcast there was no sign of rain.

Lady Maria felt Elizabeth twitch against her arm again. They were sitting with the Matlocks and the Darcys supporting Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Lady Maria had expected to enjoy the event, but remain detached throughout it. The reality was far from that slightly languorous outlook. There was a real sense of occasion to the event. Every single entrant had tens of supporters, be they family members, fellow officers of the regiment or those with a connection several generations removed. Lady Maria was not directly supporting Richard Fitzwilliam, at least not initially. She was wearing a small badge of the 25 th Regiment of Foot, the regiment her father had commanded. Enterprising merchants had done a roaring trade with these small badges so that, again, everyone could be an active supporter. Elizabeth had the badge of the 1 st Royal Dragoon Guards, the Colonel’s regiment, on her shoulder.

Elizabeth herself was amazed at the efficiency of the whole event. The first two rounds of duels, from 16 participants down to eight and then from eight down to four, were just a single match. All the build-up and it could be over suddenly. The matches to find the final two that were going to represent the whole quadrant were the best of three but there was still a ruthless efficiency to moving everything along. When she asked Mr. Darcy the time she realised that even with this efficiency it had still taken more than an hour to reduce the field to the final eight officers.

She was also once again conscious of the difference between book learning and seeing the real thing. She had read of fights in newspapers and journals, the cut and thrust, often reflecting the skill of the writer rather than the swordsmen. To see the different sizes of men, the different styles of sword play, the ferocity and energy even in a controlled setting, it was fascinating but sobering at the same time. She paid particular attention to the Colonel, the person she was cheering on and supporting this day. She had no idea what exactly was different, but she could see something was different compared to some of the other officers. Darcy answered her question.

“Cavalry officers by definition fight from horseback. The cavalry officers are at a disadvantage in an event like this. A large part of their training is to be in tandem with their horse, not just moving their sword arm, but also manoeuvring the horse, often with their knees and thighs. The best cavalry officers are normally the best horsemen, you need both skills to be successful.”

During a match where Richard was not involved Elizabeth’s attention was drawn to the Naval quadrant where it seemed that yet another style was dominating. The matches there appeared almost brutal, much more than the stylised bouts of the Army officers. As the final matches in each quadrant started she glanced over at the central box. There her uncle and cousin sat, in pride of place. Her uncle was going to present the brandy to the winning officer and lead the toast to the fallen of Cuidad Rodrigo. She could not be more proud of him, overcoming the loss of his legs to be at the heart of one of the events of the season. And she knew that he would spend the rest of the week recovering from the exertion and dealing with the phantom pains in his missing left ankle.

When the Colonel won his second match to claim a place in the final eight Elizabeth was not alone in standing and cheering. All three Matlocks, both Darcys and Lady Maria joined her in applauding his performance so far. He acknowledged their support with a smile and a salute. Georgiana swapped places with her brother and sat down next to Elizabeth.

“Lizzie, is this not just the most exciting event ever?”

Elizabeth had to smile at the youthful exuberance on display. Before the matches started the arena had been full of people projecting studied indifference. However, it had not taken many duels before that dissipated and supporters young and old, male and female had been engrossed in the action happening all around them. As the final eight officers assembled there was a draw to see who was facing who. The first set of matches to reduce the field to the final four were still the best of three but the remaining matches would be the best of five.

“Richard did ever so well. Do you think he will win?”

“I am no expert but I believe the Colonel is better than the other officer from our quadrant. The men from the Royal Navy seem to fight in a more brutal style and I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to know whether he is at an advantage or disadvantage against them. There were too many duels happening at the same time to really know what was happening in the other quadrants. I suspect that all eight officers have the skill to win, it will depend on the opponent.”

“I do hope Richard wins, it would be so exciting.”

Elizabeth clasped her friend’s hand. This was her guardian, Georgiana was wholly committed to him.

In the end, it was not to be. For once the rumour mill had been completely accurate. A young, slightly built Captain of the 1 st battalion of the Scots Guards was unbeatable. Even more appropriately he had been wounded at Cuidad Rodrigo, losing three fingers of his left hand. The Colonel made it to the final match but his penultimate match was against one of the Naval officers. The match lasted all five duels, and the Colonel was close to exhaustion when he defeated the Navy man. He gave a good account of himself in the final but the Scots Guard Captain was universally acknowledged as a brilliant swordsman. There was no disgrace coming second to such a gifted wielder of the blade.

Again, the ceremony at the end was held promptly. There were genuine cheers of approval for the victor and a toast was drunk to the famous victory at Cuidad Rodrigo. The whole event took two hours and 15 minutes and it was only the last day of March. Everyone was ready to return indoors to warm up.

Elizabeth turned to Claire Smith, sitting right behind her, Mrs. Annesley beside her.

“I see Robert so we will slowly make our way over to him. I have been invited to Matlock House for a late lunch but I suspect it will be well into the afternoon before we escape from these throngs.”

“Once we get to Robert, we will walk behind you and Lady Maria so that you are not jostled in the crowd.”

“Thank you, Claire.”

It felt like the tournament took less time than getting free of the chaos of the Royal Hospital grounds but eventually they were able to return to Mayfair. Everyone was starving and lunch was devoured with indecent haste. More food was called for and hot sweet tea was gratefully drunk. At long last everyone gathered in the drawing room. The Earl remained standing.

“If I could have your attention please. I would like to say a few words.”

He waited as family and guests made themselves comfortable.

“I want to say how proud I am of Richard. He fought valiantly, with skill and with cunning. His match with Captain Uxley was something to behold. He has led the boarding of four ships, two as a First Lieutenant, one as a Commander and one as a full Captain. You saw his style, ferocious as if clearing the quarterdeck. There was no grace to that match it was brutal in all five duels. To have defeated him is a significant achievement. And while there is the sting of losing in the last match, it was clear to everyone there that Captain Miller is a brilliant swordsman, one of the best in the whole Army. You fought well and brought honour to the family name. Well done Richard.”

Boys look for the approval of their father. Richard Fitzwilliam was a 29 year old man, a full Colonel in the Army, but Elizabeth watched as he flushed with pride in the words of his father. His brother was equally fulsome in his praise, there was nothing mealy-mouthed in his congratulations. Georgiana bestowed a big hug on her guardian as her brother clapped the Colonel on the back. Elizabeth rose as the others settled back in their seats.

“There is an advantage in being related to the organiser of the tournament. I prevailed upon my uncle to provide me with four bottles of brandy so that I can thank all the gentlemen present today. I feel honoured to have been included in your family celebrations. Colonel, you may choose first, then the Earl, the Viscount and Mr. Darcy.”

She stepped back as the four gentlemen crowded round the sideboard.

“Miss Bennet, these are very fine vintages. Are you sure?”

Elizabeth nodded at the Earl.

“Absolutely. Please, select away.”

As the four men joked and jeered at each other as they selected Elizabeth turned to Lady Maria.

“There are two more bottles waiting back at Hanover Square for you. You may gift them to your brother and brother-in-law or keep them until an appropriate occasion.”

Lady Maria grasped Elizabeth’s hand, no words needing to be said. It was a lovely quiet moment.

Unfortunately, the tranquillity was shattered as a loud domineering voice echoed in the hall.

“Get out of my way. I will speak to my brother and nephew at once. Do you hear me, at once!”

The doors were pushed open savagely and in strode a lady older than either Lady Maria or Lady Susan, wearing an outfit fashionable in the last century.

“Darcy! There you are. Did you think you could hide from me here? And you brother, what do you have to say about this disgraceful union?”

Elizabeth understood the words the lady was shouting but they made no sense. She looked at Georgiana who was staring in fright at the intruder. She leaned closer to Elizabeth.

“Our aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Elizabeth nodded in understand, realising that she had called the Earl her brother.

“Catherine, what is the meaning of this interruption? I received no word that you were coming to town.”

“I am stopping something scandalous happening to our family, so there is no need to take that tone with me.”

“Scandalous? With the family? We have guests and you will moderate your tone and hold your tongue until this can be discussed in private.”

“No, listen here.”

“Catherine, you will desist in talking of this and moderate your tone at once.”

The Earl had gone full ‘head of the family’ in his manner and speech. Elizabeth and Lady Maria looked at each other and stood as one. Mrs. Smith moved quietly to the door in anticipation of their departure.

“Susan, I believe we should leave.”

Lady Susan Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock was mortified and yet furious at the same time. A perfectly pleasant family afternoon with close friends, celebrating the magnificent performance of her younger son in the tournament, had been ruined by her sister-in-law. With Catherine, there was no occasion where she did not try and take centre stage.

“I am sorry that you have to leave. I will send a note later.”

Darcy was checking on his sister so it was the Colonel that approached Elizabeth.

“I have not even had a chance to thank you, and your uncle, for this wonderful brandy. Four bottles to share amongst us. It is we who are honoured with your friendship Miss Bennet. Thank you.”

“Miss Bennet! Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”

The momentary calm was once again swept away. Lady Catherine was on her feet glaring at Elizabeth.

“Colonel would you favour me with an introduction.”

A bitter late January frost engulfed the room. Heads turned.

“Do not take that tone with me young lady.”

“What tone would that be? I am the one asking for an introduction not shouting in the drawing room.”

“I am not shouting!”

Irony was apparently in short supply in Kent.

“Never mind Colonel. You fought magnificently today. I am sure I will see you at a ball next week. Until then.”

She turned to the Earl, and then the Countess.

“My lord, my lady, thank you for lunch. I will take my leave.”

With a nod at Darcy and a smile at Georgiana she followed Lady Maria to the door.

“Now just a minute. I will not have you ignoring me.”

Elizabeth did just that, smiling calmly at Claire and continuing to ignore the incoherent splutters of Lady Catherine.

“Brother, stop her at once. She has used her arts and allurements to entrap our nephew.”

It was the Countess who responded.

“Catherine, you have been told to moderate your tone twice already. You will apologise at once to our guest.”

“Apologise. Ha! I will do no such thing.”

Lady Maria’s hand reached out and was half way to restraining Elizabeth just in case but she stopped. Elizabeth was not striding towards Lady Catherine but instead looking at her companion.

“You will stand behind me and not react. I will not have you as a scapegoat for this. Do you understand?”

Her tone was firm.

“If you insist Miss Elizabeth.”

“I do. Thank you.”

Lady Maria watched as the genuine smile for her companion vanished as Elizabeth turned back to the drawing room. Still ignoring Lady Catherine, she approached Lady Susan.

“I am apparently the cause of this interruption. However, I know as little as you. Do you wish us to leave or to stay and resolve this?”

Lady Susan was struck by Elizabeth’s calm. An odd thought struck her. Her friend Maria said that Elizabeth would just walk away if someone tried to compromise her. This was not her life. Or at least it had not been. This needed to be fixed and now.

“Lady Maria, Miss Bennet, please stay. I have no idea what is going on, but as you say, it is better that it is resolved now.”

Elizabeth waited until Claire Smith was seated behind her before resuming her own seat. The air was so thick with tension that it was surprising there was not a bolt of lightning. The only person who appeared calm was Elizabeth. Lady Susan was still extremely upset at her sister-in-law.

“Now that you have wrecked a pleasant afternoon perhaps you can explain why you felt the need to act in this deplorable manner.”

Even the Earl was taken aback at his wife’s vitriol. He needed to tread carefully. Rather than bluster Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed but before she could say anything Lady Susan spoke again.

“My Lord, would you complete the introductions of our invited guests.”

No one missed the emphasis on ‘invited’.

“Lady Maria, Miss Bennet, allow me to present Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Catherine, this is Lady Maria Leonard and Miss Bennet.”

He turned back to the two ladies.

“In case you were unaware, Lady Catherine is my sister.”

Lady Catherine de Bourgh should have known of Lady Maria Leonard, and of her connections. But she was too vexed at all the delays. That the guests were being treated with consequence vexed her even more, although it should have been another prod to her memory. But she had been distant from society in Kent for too many years. And all she had for visitors was an echo chamber with a timid daughter and an obsequious parson.

“Finally, what a waste of time.”

Both David and Susan Fitzwilliam winced. Their senior guest was related to two Dukes while the younger was on good terms with one of them. How many times could they yell at this harridan to moderate her tone.

“I have evidence that Darcy and this young lady are courting. This is not to be borne, he is engaged to Anne.”

Whatever diatribe the assembled company were expecting, it was not this. The silence was broken by Elizabeth’s laugh.

“Do not laugh at me, young lady!”

“Why ever not. I am not courting Mr. Darcy. Sorry, the correct order is that Mr. Darcy is not courting me. So forgive me if I find this all rather funny. What did Shakespeare say? Much Ado About Nothing.”

“At least four sets of lips twitched upwards.

“Not so fast.”

Lady Catherine pulled several sheets of paper out of her bag.

“I have it here. In the handwriting of my own niece.”

Georgiana gasped and paled beyond alabaster. Darcy was at her side immediately.

“Let me see, where is the appropriate passage. Yes, here it is. ‘It is wonderful to see William so happy. He is courting Elizabeth and they are so good together.”

Lady Catherine trailed off before reading the next sentence in a quieter tone, as if reading the full letter for the first time.

“Everyone is amazed that neither of them can see it. They have been courting for weeks yet both are oblivious to this fact. The whole family is waiting for the moment when they realise and can congratulate them.”

This time the silence was sepulchral. Lady Maria watched the smile slip off Elizabeth’s face. She turned to look at Darcy and saw the same stunned look. This was not how she would have wished they discovered their feelings for each other, but it was immediate and effective.

“Have we been courting Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth’s voice was quiet, full of wonder.

“If you had asked me 10 minutes ago Miss Bennet I would have said no.”

He looked round the room.

“However, when I stop and think over the last two months, I believe we have been courting. I just never realised the fact, or gave it that name.”

Even Lady Catherine was silent, the room held its collective breath. Then the smile started on Elizabeth’s face and it just got wider and wider. As Darcy saw her happiness, the sparkle in her eyes, he too burst into a huge smile. He was also still kneeling beside his sister who appeared ready to burst with excitement like an over-shaken bottle of champagne. Darcy looked down at his position but remained there while straightening his back.

“Normally courting couples are given some moments of privacy for the gentleman to ask this question, and I still need to see and acquire the consent of your uncle. But Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the honour of marrying me?”

Elizabeth knew her body was seated in Lady Susan’s drawing room. But her mind and spirit seemed untethered from her body. So many things were flashing through her mind. All her protestations against men, her disappointment with them, the sense of waiting for the inevitable dismissal of her just because she was a woman, none of these feelings applied. Mr. Darcy had been a constant companion throughout the season, they had spoken at length about any and all topics, she sought him out at events. Elizabeth prided herself on her intelligence yet she had managed to miss being courted for six weeks. But at least she was not alone in this obtuseness. What had Georgiana said in her letter? The whole family was waiting for the two of them to realise and congratulate them. Darcy had pontificated about his pride while in Hertfordshire, she had not but was not without pride herself. They both had been humbled by their obliviousness to their situation.

Her thoughts were in and out of her mind in but a moment. She smiled at the man kneeling in front of her, and his whole family. Despite the suddenness of his gesture she had no doubts in her mind.

“Yes Mr. Darcy. I will marry you.”

Lady Catherine’s cries and complaints were drowned out by the cheers from everyone else in the room. Darcy was allowed to kiss the hand of Elizabeth before each was swamped in congratulations. The couple-to-be looked at each other with idiotic smiles on their faces. Happiness mixed with a certain rueful mien as they were informed of their blindness. None of it mattered.

Fitzwilliam Darcy was engaged to marry Elizabeth Bennet.