Chapter 25

E lizabeth Bennet looked up at the imposing facade of Darcy House. Like all of the houses in Grosvenor Square, it was huge, even larger than the manor house on the Bennets’ estate. It definitely had more floors than Longbourn. She could count six floors above the ground level, twice as many as her home had. Until she saw his magnificent home, she had never had a context for just how wealthy the man was. It mattered not to her as she would never accept a man for mercenary reasons. Besides, Mr Darcy would never be interested in a silly girl who had been taken in by Mr Wickham’s lies, would he?

Fitzwilliam led the Bennets into the house and introduced them to the Killions. Thanks to the express he sent the Killions, the chambers were aired and made up and there would be enough victuals for the guests’ meals over the next few days.

“I will leave you in the Killions’ capable hands. Bingley and I will cross the green to Matlock House; do not forget my parents expect all of you for dinner this evening.” Fitzwilliam spoke to all five Bennets who had travelled to London, but his eyes looked only at his beloved fiancée. “It is but a three minute walk, if that, across the green, but if it is too cold to walk, or the weather turns, Killion will have a coach ready for you.”

“Unless the heavens open up, we will walk,” Bennet decided.

Fanny said not a word. She was overawed. Never had she imagined being hosted in such a house. When one looked up from where they stood in the foyer, they could see two or three floors up. The grand staircase, with black marble steps and white marble banisters, started near where they stood. A wide set of stairs went up to the landing between the floors; from there it split into two narrower staircases until the floor above was reached. The pattern was repeated up to the next landing and floor above. Seeing this house, she understood why Mr Darcy had a right to some pride. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard one of her future sons-in-law speak.

“Although the library in this house is not on the scale of the one at Pemberley, I think it will satisfy you three,” Fitzwilliam looked at Bennet, Lizzy, and Mary. “After we marry I am sure we will have occasion to call at Pemberley, and at that time you will see a library like none other not in a university,” he told Mary.

While he said his farewells to Mary, Bingley was doing the same with his beloved fiancée.

“May I show you to your suites?” Mrs Killion offered once the two younger men had departed.

“Please,” Fanny responded on behalf of her family.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

“We thank you for hosting us for dinner,” Bennet stated after Fitzwilliam had made the introductions. “We are aware your eldest son is ailing for which we are very sorry.”

Lord and Lady Matlock inclined their heads. “We are the ones who are pleased to meet your family,” the earl drawled. “We had despaired our boy would ever find a lady who caught his interest. So when Richard first wrote to us telling us about Miss Mary, we were hopeful we would, at long last, be gaining a daughter.” He turned to Mrs Bennet, “I can see, Madam, from where your daughters all gained their beauty.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” Fanny replied demurely with a little heightened colour in her cheeks.

“Until we get to know one another as family, please call me Lord Reggie or Matlock, and my wife is Lady Elaine.” Lord Matlock addressed his daughter-in-law to be. “We understand from Richard you use Mama and Papa to address your parents?” Mary confirmed it was so. “In that case, Mary, please use Mother and Father for Elaine and me.”

“I shall endeavour to remember that, Lord Father,” Mary replied cheekily with an arched eyebrow, the way her next eldest sister would have.

“You told us your betrothed has a quick wit,” Lady Matlock smiled. “Mary, will you sit with me so I may come to know my future daughter?” The countess patted the seat on the settee next to her. “And you, Mrs Bennet, please sit on my other side.”

“We are to be family Lady Elaine, please call me Fanny,” she allowed as she took a seat next to the Countess.

Bennet could not have been more proud of his family, especially his beloved Fanny. Not only had she not uttered one word about the cost of the expensive furniture and décor at Darcy House, neither had she in this house which was even more richly furnished and decorated than where they were being hosted. There Fanny sat, speaking to a countess as if it was something she did every day.

Lizzy was talking to Fitzwilliam while he waited for his mother to release Mary, and unsurprisingly, Jane and Bingley were seated as close to one another as propriety would allow with their heads close together while they spoke.

Lord Matlock approached Bennet. “Mr Bennet, would you like to join me in the library until dinner?” he offered.

“I would. Please call me Bennet especially if I am to address you as Matlock,” Bennet replied. “I was impressed by your nephew’s small library at Darcy House. Are you also a lover of the written word?” Bennet stood and followed the Earl out of the drawing room.

“I am, however, due to the demands of my duties when the Lords is in session, I am not able to read very much that does not pertain to laws we need to debate. When we retreat to Snowhaven for the summers, I am able to read much more. I assume Richard has told you about Snowhaven?”

Bennet allowed it was so.

“Before we speak of anything else, please allow me to thank you on behalf of my family for one, and society for the other. The first is for making sure that the miscreant, who was George Wickham, was finally called to account. Also, from what I heard from Richard; you instigated Miss Caroline Bingley’s ultimate eviction from London society.”

“In the latter case I merely informed your nephew and Bingley of what the shrew was doing and saying, so I did very little. I understand it was your lady wife who wielded the broom which ended up sweeping Miss Bingley out of Town.”

“Yes, I suppose Elaine did do that. Damned proud of that woman. As Richard said of his mother once when he was in the army, had my Elaine been on Wellington’s staff, the war against the Corsican upstart would have been over years ago. There is one thing I have wanted to ask you, if you do not think it reaching too far.”

Bennet extended his hand palm up to indicate Matlock should continue.

“How on earth does a country squire with an estate which brings in two thousand pounds annually, provide such massive dowries for his daughters?”

“As much as I would like to claim credit, I cannot. Until a few months past, I was rather indolent and hid from my family and life…” Bennet gave the Earl a synopsis of the events, including an abbreviated history between his brother James and himself, which led to the disclosure of his daughters’ dowries. “So you see, my girls have fortunes despite me, not because of me.”

“Catherine and her sycophant will not be happy when your brother arrives and the entail is broken,” Matlock shook his head.

“What has it to do with your sister?” Bennet enquired.

“Nothing at all. However, my sister has never allowed facts and propriety to inhibit her. In her mind, any of her parson’s concerns are her own. I would be greatly surprised if she did not try inserting herself into the situation. After my setdown in reaction to that letter she wrote, she will be looking to assert her perceived authority elsewhere.”

“My only regret in all of this is that a sensible woman like the former Miss Lucas has her fortunes tied to such a man. My girls did attempt to warn her before they wed that his prospects were not as he thought they were.” Bennet shook his head. “At least she made her decision with her eyes open.”

“Richard related how William behaved when he was in Hertfordshire. I am well pleased that my nephew saw fit to apologise for his actions.” Lord Matlock led Bennet to a tray on a sideboard holding some decanters and cut crystal tumblers and glasses of various sizes. “Brandy, cognac, port, or madeira?”

Bennet selected a small glass of port.

Matlock handed it to him and then poured himself one of madeira. “It was good to meet all of you, especially Mary.” Matlock raised his glass in salute. “So how do you rate my library in comparison to William’s?”

“Without examining the books within, I would say they are about the same sized libraries. I assume you have one at your estate?”

“Yes I do. I openly own it is half of the size, and much less than half of the tomes found in Pemberley’s library. That collection started with Pierre D’Arcy who came over with, and fought at the Conqueror’s side. At some point, he changed his name to Darcy and he began to increase his collection, which as it was before the advent of the Gutenberg press meant his books were printed using wooden blocks. Each subsequent master of the estate, including my nephew, has increased it. William has added many first editions to the extensive collection already there before he inherited.”

“That would be a sight to see,” Bennet opined.

The two men sat and discussed disparate topics while they nursed their chosen glasses of wine. Although he had not argued what Fitzwilliam had said about Mary being accepted by his parents, seeing for himself the obvious joy at meeting her chased away any lingering worries Bennet had.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Subsequent to the dinner at which the Fitzwilliams and Bennets became very close one to the other, and the formalities of address were laid aside, Lady Matlock accompanied them the next day when Fanny, her girls, and Madeline Gardiner visited the modiste for the final fitting of Jane’s gowns and dresses.

The countess made a point of introducing her future daughter-in-law and her family to any of her friends and acquaintances they met. The message was clear. Although the family was not known in the Ton , they all, especially the lady who would marry the former colonel, had her full throated support and acceptance.

After the fittings, for which little or no adjustments were needed to be made to the garments, the ladies were treated to a visit to Gunter’s by the countess. There Lady Matlock introduced the Bennets and Mrs Gardiner to the duchesses of Bedford and Hertfordshire, and the countess of Jersey. All three ladies were very welcoming and effusive in their greetings which sent the message to any harpies of high society that it would not go well for them if they attempted to denigrate the Fitzwilliams’ future additions to their family by marriage.

That evening, dinner was held at Darcy House with Fanny acting as the hostess, and included the Gardiners and their two eldest children, Eddy and Lilly. It was a lively and convivial affair where the bonds which had already begun to be forged were strengthened.

The next day while Fanny joined Jane and Bingley to view his rented house on Curzon Street, Bennet, Elizabeth, Mary, and of course, Fitzwilliam spent some hours in Hatchard’s. Bennet treated himself to a first edition while Elizabeth selected the first edition of a novel, Sense and Sensibility by a Lady. Mary found several pieces of sheet music she had wanted for some time.

From there they went to view the artifacts from Egypt on display at Montague House, the home of the British Museum. The three Bennets were only sorry they did not have more time to explore all of the wonders in the museum.

Bennet decided it may behove him to set aside his aversion to London as there were many things he enjoyed which only the capital offered.

On the final night in Town, the dinner was held at the Gardiners’ house in Gracechurch Street. It was attended by the three Fitzwilliams who were healthy. Andrew was being attended by a physician and his nurse; if there was any change in his condition, a messenger would be sent. Thankfully none arrived before it was time for those residing in Grosvenor Square to return home.

At first light the next morning, the Bennets departed without Fitzwilliam. In the early hours of the morning, his brother had taken a turn for the worse, necessitating that the former colonel remain in London with his parents.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

In the early afternoon, about the time Richard Fitzwilliam estimated his beloved and her family would reach Longbourn, the footman on duty at the front door notified the butler that the Darcy travelling coach had arrived at Darcy House. Fitzwilliam donned his great coat, gloves, and beaver and made his way across the square to his cousin’s house.

“Richard!” Georgiana enthused when she saw him. As soon as she realised she had spoken out loud without restraint, her head dropped and her eyes found the floor.

“It is good to see you as well, Sprite,” Fitzwilliam replied cheerily and pulled his ward into a hug. “Welcome William. I have news to share with both of you. I did not bother sending an express as I knew it would pass you on the road. I proposed to my Mary and she has accepted me.”

“I wish you happy, Richard,” Darcy stated sincerely as he extended his hand. “You look well pleased with yourself.”

“I am. There is one thing which dampens my spirits—Andy. The doctor thinks we are at the end, perhaps a sennight, possibly a few days more, but less than a fortnight,” Fitzwilliam reported.

“Should we not attend Bingley’s wedding?” Darcy asked.

“Mother and Father say we should not forgo it, as long as Andy is still with us. By the way, they were very impressed with the five Bennets they met over the last two or three days. As you told me I should think of your house as mine, and due to Bingley and me being engaged to two Bennet daughters, the Bennets resided here, while we men were at Matlock House,” Fitzwilliam reported.

“I am l-looking forward to meeting them at the wedding,” Georgiana managed timidly.

“Sweetling, why do you and Mrs Annesley not go up to your suite so you may wash and change,” Darcy suggested as he fought to maintain his equanimity. Had the woman he loved been in his house? He waited until he heard the door to his sister’s suite open and close again. As soon as he did he turned to Richard. “Which other three Bennets were present?”

“The parents and one who I believe you have an interest in knowing better…”

Darcy interjected before Fitzwilliam finished the sentence. “Miss Elizabeth agreed to come to my house?” It was more of a statement than a question and Richard nodded his head. “Then is it possible her feelings have warmed towards me after the horrendous showing I gave in Hertfordshire?”

“Her worry was that you would object to her presence in your house, not that she did not want to be here. Lizzy has acknowledged her own errors in jumping to conclusions and ignoring the many warning signs she should have seen when the late wastrel wove his tale of woe. I would say you two have a good chance of starting over, as long as you each get out of your own way,” Fitzwilliam revealed.

“I have come to realise looking for wealth and connections in a woman made me no better than the fortune hunters I always decry in society. All I want is the love and respect of a good woman, and there is none better than Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy waxed.

Fitzwilliam did not point out that the Bennets’ connections were now as good as William’s own, and he said nothing about the daughters’ fortunes. If and when things progressed between William and Lizzy, then that would be Bennet’s information to impart to his cousin.

“That is a much healthier way of seeing things than you used to do. You should know you missed the Bennets by a few hours; they departed after breaking their fasts this morning. Also, you will be pleased to know Bennet, Lizzy, and my Mary were greatly impressed with your library here.”

“Richard, which chambers did Miss Elizabeth have?”

“The Green Suite I believe.” Fitzwilliam grinned when his cousin bound up the grand staircase calling over his shoulder that he needed to wash and change. Richard knew where his cousin was headed.

Darcy burst into the chamber Miss Elizabeth had occupied, startling two maids who were cleaning and tidying the rooms. Both bobbed curtsies to the master. “Please allow me a few minutes, and close the door on your way out,” Darcy instructed. The two bobbed another curtsy and left quietly via the servants’ door.

As soon as he was alone, Darcy took a deep breath. He felt at peace as he detected her lavender scent in the room. Being able to take in a whiff of her essence in his house made him feel that all was good with the world.