Chapter Nineteen

November 29, 1811

Hertfordshire

Elizabeth

"Anne!" Darcy exclaimed, stepping closer to Elizabeth's side. "Whatever are you doing here?"

"I come to stop this farce of a wedding!" she cried, her high-pitched words echoing through the chapel. "Wickham told me he had taken the trollop off so that you could not wed her. I see he deceived me. Where is he so that I can box his ears for lying to me?"

Darcy maintained his calm demeanor as he replied, "Wickham has gone to Gretna Green." Elizabeth glanced up at her husband, then back at the raving woman advancing down the aisle whom she surmised was Darcy's cousin, Anne de Bourgh.

"This is not Miss Caroline Bingley, then?" Miss de Bourgh shrieked, her eyes wide with indignation. "Who is she ?"

"This is my wife, Mrs. Darcy," he stated firmly, channeling the commanding presence of the master of Pemberley. Elizabeth stood a little taller and gave him a brilliant smile. She looped her arm through his and drew closer to his side, signaling her unwavering support.

"You are to marry me !" Miss de Bourgh cried in disbelief. "This is not to be borne! Mama said you are promised to me . It has been long enough now for you to sow your wild oats. Be reasonable."

Darcy's composure remained intact as he faced the instigator of his troubles. "I am no longer free to marry, as I am lately wed," he declared, each word measured and deliberate.

Elizabeth smothered a smile, finding his dry humor amusing, despite the tense situation. She doubted their unwelcome guest shared her appreciation.

"You have not bedded her yet," Miss de Bourgh snapped. "We can arrange for an annulment." Elizabeth gasped in affront, her cheeks flushing with anger. How dare she suggest such a thing!

"I think not," Darcy replied, his words as unyielding as steel. "You forget that I have made you no promise and, for years, I have actively protested your mother's words that we were to marry. In fact, I have suspected it is she who has caused my misfortunes."

"Oh, yes, your misfortunes are great, indeed," Miss de Bourgh sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "A life of luxury all your own, with no parents to order you about. Yes, I imagine you have suffered ."

"You have actively tried to ruin me and others with whom I associated for years!" Darcy shouted, his equanimity finally shattering. "I did what I had to in order to secure my happiness."

"I have come too far to allow a country nobody to claim my place," Miss de Bourgh snarled, lunging at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth cringed, but her father and Mr. Bingley seized the harpy by the arms before she could lay even a fingernail on her.

"What shall we do with your errant relation, eh, Darcy?" Bingley asked cheerfully, maintaining his lighthearted demeanor.

"Do you have a place where we can lock her away while we await the arrival of my uncle, Lord Matlock?" Mr. Darcy asked the officiant, turning to him with a look of steely resolve.

"There is a secure room here in the church," the appalled parson replied, tugging at his vestment and mopping his brow.

"Very good," Mr. Darcy said, nodding briskly. "Let us put her there for the time being. I have two able-bodied footmen who can stand guard. If you need assistance, send to Longbourn for it."

The rector nodded, and Mr. Darcy stepped outside to summon his men. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bingley handed off the screeching woman, and the two servants led her away to the windowless room at the back of the church. After locking the door, the men took their posts outside.

"Do not open the door for any reason," Darcy instructed them firmly. He turned to the poor rector, who was now wringing his hands in distress and muttering about the havoc desecrating the holy house. "I will have my cousin removed as soon as my uncle arrives," he promised. "At which time, we might discuss a donation to your parish."

This assurance pacified the man, and he nodded, turning to bustle away and attend to his other duties.

The small party returned to Longbourn, where Mr. Bennet wasted no time in announcing Elizabeth's marriage to Mr. Darcy. The declaration prompted a chorus of screeches from Mrs. Bennet before she fainted dead away. Mr. Collins gaped at the pronouncement, spluttering incoherently, as he inquired if this was the Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. His queries went unanswered as the unmarried Bennet sisters swarmed around Elizabeth to offer their best wishes. Darcy found himself momentarily pushed to the side, his new father-in-law sidling up to him to witness the tableau.

Elizabeth broke free of her sisters when their attention turned to Mrs. Bennet, who had awoken and was screeching about carriages, jewels, and pin money. She quickly made her way to her new husband's side and looped her arm through his.

"I would sneak away now if you desire time to process all that has occurred," Mr. Bennet advised, nodding discreetly toward the door.

Elizabeth grabbed Mr. Darcy's hand and pulled him away to her father's library. Once inside, they closed the door and moved to a large chair before the fire. Darcy sat first, pulling his wife into his lap and wrapping his arms securely around her. She fit perfectly there and breathed deeply, reveling in his presence. They sat in silence for several moments, contemplating the enormity of all that had transpired that morning.

Though Elizabeth was comfortable, she shifted slightly to see Darcy's face more clearly. She gingerly reached up and brushed a lock of hair from his brow. As her fingers traced his forehead, then his cheekbones, and finally his jawline, his eyes fluttered closed, savoring her touch. When she looked at him again, she found him watching her, his expression heavy with an emotion she could not name. Her fingers moved lower, tracing the top of his collar before returning to explore his features.

Never before had she touched a man who was not her father with ungloved hands. The sensation was exhilarating and new, and her fingers danced across his face in tantalizing motions. Eventually, they brushed his lips, and his eyes fluttered closed again, a soft sigh of satisfaction escaping him. His arms tightened around her, drawing her close.

His lips found hers, and she melted in his embrace. They broke away some time later and Elizabeth leaned her forehead against his, both of them breathless and content.

"What you do to me…" her husband murmured, his voice a blend of awe and desire. "Would that we could away to Pemberley this instant!"

He leaned back, wrapping his arms around her once more. Elizabeth admired his restraint, though she had no wish to cease their activities. She leaned into his chest, resting her head on his shoulder, and wanting never to move from this spot, so complete was her sense of tranquility.

"I can hardly believe Anne capable of such machinations," Darcy sighed as he sought to suppress his ardor before they had to return to the company. They still sat entwined; his fingers traced patterns up and down her back. Elizabeth combed her fingers through his hair, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"With a mother like hers, it should not be a surprise," he continued, still absently caressing her. "But it is all over now," he murmured, reassuring himself as much as her.

"Yes," Elizabeth soothed him, her tone gentle and calming. "We have the very great pleasure of being married without the hassle and strain of my mama planning everything. And when your uncle arrives, he can handle your cousin. Then we can be away to wherever we wish to go."

"Yes," Darcy repeated with a heavy sigh. "It is all over now, my love."

The pair shifted from speaking to kissing and spent an agreeable half hour thus engaged before Kitty discovered them and they were called back to the drawing room by an overexcited Mrs. Bennet.

~

Mr. Darcy's relatives arrived later that afternoon. It was fortunate indeed that Lord Matlock's business had brought him to London a week earlier, placing him within an easy distance to the mayhem in Hertfordshire. Darcy made the introductions, then disclosed everything that happened since he had left London to stay with Bingley at Netherfield Park. Lord Matlock and Darcy's jovial cousin, Richard, assumed custody of their cousin, and quietly arranged to take her away. Lord Matlock promised to deal with her in a fair manner and ensure she could not exact revenge on Mr. Darcy or his wife. Elizabeth and Darcy most assuredly believed her capable of such a feat.

"How did Anne know we were at the church?" Darcy asked Richard curiously as they prepared to depart. The situation puzzled him; surely Anne would have made for Netherfield if she searched for him, since that was where he was residing.

"From the nonsense she spouted, she claimed her driver got lost looking for Netherfield Park," Richard replied with a shrug. "When she saw your carriage, she suspected the worst and stopped."

Lord Matlock sighed from his position beside his son. As they stood in the vestibule, they could hear Mrs. Bennet's loud effusions from the drawing room. With a parting nod to Darcy, he turned to his nephew's new bride.

"Welcome to the family, my dear," the earl said in parting, kissing Elizabeth's hand. "I hope my niece's actions have not poisoned you against the rest of us."

"I prefer to judge people based on their own merits," Elizabeth playfully, but sincerely assured him. "If you have not decided firmly against me after spending an afternoon in my family's company, I believe I can afford you the same courtesy." She smiled saucily at him, winked, and felt gratified when the earl chuckled in reply.

"Very good," he said, donning his stylish beaver hat. "I look forward to seeing more of you when you return to town, Mrs. Darcy." Lord Matlock gave her a respectful bow in farewell, she curtseyed in return, then he ducked outside to board the carriage.

Everyone at Longbourn bid Richard a fond farewell before he, too, left the house and boarded the carriage. They could not see Miss de Bourgh through the window, but they had it on good authority that her companion, who now sat beside her, had given her a small dose of laudanum to calm her; she now slept soundly.

After the events of that rather trying day, Darcy and Elizabeth went to Netherfield Park rather than depart immediately for Darcy House. They delighted in having the entire guest wing to themselves and remained ensconced there for several days before their presence was required elsewhere. Jasper delivered meals on trays, removing the necessity to stir outside their rooms.

While the newly married couple remained sequestered in their chambers, relishing each other's sole company, Bingley proposed to Jane. He felt exceedingly fortunate when she accepted. His beloved angel knew of his family's troubles and loved him despite his sister's fall from grace. There had been no word from Miss Bingley and Wickham, though, and he found himself increasingly concerned by their silence.

But just a day later, the scandalous couple arrived at Netherfield Park in a rented coach. Miss Bingley, or rather, Mrs. Wickham, sauntered up the steps to her brother's house on the arm of the charming officer. Mr. Wickham was back in his red coat, and smugly tipped his hat to the footman as he and his wife walked by.

In the drawing room, where Mr. Bingley, the Hursts, Miss Bennet, and the Darcys had gathered, a footman announced the scandalous couple. Mrs. Hurst let out a little cry and rushed to her sister, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "Caro! Oh, my dear sister!" she said, beginning to weep.

"I had thought you would have run from Meryton with your tail between your legs, Darcy," Wickham jeered as he approached his former friend who was standing close to Elizabeth. "What can you be about?"

"Bingley has asked me to stand up with him at his wedding," Darcy said smoothly. "I could hardly abandon him when he asked so nicely."

"And Miss Jane Bennet is the lucky bride, of course," Wickham said with forced cheerfulness. He turned to his wife. "How do you feel about that, my dear? Did not you hope that our elopement would ensure that Miss Bennet rejected your brother?"

"I shall just have to bear the connection," Mrs. Wickham sniffed disdainfully. "It is not as though we will mix in the same circles."

Elizabeth smothered a grin. How right she was, though she did not know it yet.

"And are you chaperoning, Miss Elizabeth?" Wickham asked, turning up his charm as he focused on her.

"Wickham," Darcy interrupted smoothly. "I do not believe you have met my wife. May I present Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy ?"

Elizabeth wrapped her arm through her husband's and dipped a curtsey.

"Wife?" Wickham stammered, his confidence fading. "No, surely not. You were to wed Miss Bingley. That is what I was told."

"Apparently you were misinformed," Darcy said, smiling smugly. "You see, by the time I arrived in Meryton, I realized someone was singling out the ladies in whom I expressed interest. So, I carefully hid my regard for Elizabeth. We met in secret, courted quietly under the watchful eye of a maid and Mr. Bennet, and, after your letter arrived, we married by common license the next morning. My cousin became enraged when she missed the ceremony."

"C-cousin?" Wickham stuttered. "Miss de Bourgh has been here?"

"Yes," Darcy confirmed. "You cannot hide your failure from her. I imagine she will not pay your stipend next quarter."

"You cannot stop my husband from inheriting his due now," Mrs. Wickham shrieked. "He has the funds to press the courts. We will win the day."

"What inheritance?" Darcy asked, a genuine look of perplexity crossing his face. Elizabeth noticed her husband's sincerity and found herself equally curious.

"Why, the money and estate left to him by your father," Mrs. Wickham said hotly. "He is your flesh and blood, your own cousin, and you treat him thus? How can you call yourself an honorable man?"

Elizabeth watched as her husband descended into gales of laughter, the sound echoing through the room.

"Did he tell you that?" Darcy asked, not attempting to hide his amusement. "Just how is he, my cousin?"

Elizabeth watched Wickham become uncomfortable and turn pale, as his wife stepped forward to explain.

"I know it all!" she exclaimed, feeling confident. "He is the natural son of your father's younger brother. Despite that, you have withheld all that is due to him out of petty jealousy."

"My father never had a brother," sputtered Darcy, his mirth giving way to incredulity. "He was an only child."

"What?" Mrs. Wickham cried, her disbelief written on her countenance. She rounded on her husband, eyes flashing with accusation.

Wickham shrugged but said nothing as Darcy calmly laid out the entire scheme Mr. Wickham and Miss de Bourgh had perpetuated against him, omitting only the details of his sister's folly.

"So, you see, Mrs. Wickham, my former friend is an accomplished seducer and swindler, and unfortunately, he caught you permanently in his web."

Mrs. Wickham gaped openly, unable to speak before releasing a wail and turned to her husband, claws extended. Louisa quickly stepped between them, wrapping her arms around her sister, and leading her weeping from the room. The door closed behind them, doing little to muffle the loud sobs emanating from the distraught Mrs. Wickham.

"When can I expect my wife's dowry?" Mr. Wickham asked smoothly, exuding an air of nonchalance as he examined his fingernails with casual disinterest, unfazed by the consequences his actions had wrought, not giving a moment's care for his wife's distress. Flicking an imaginary speck of dust from his coat, he shifted from foot to foot, but his smirk was steady. His audacity still dared anyone to challenge him. It was time to lower his airs—Bingley was just the man to do it.

"The terms of Caroline's inheritance are firm," Mr. Bingley said, a touch of vindictiveness in his tone. "You may have the interest only. The principle remains untouched. Should you choose, we will keep investing the principle, which may grant you more income later."

"But…" Mr. Wickham stammered. "Y-You… No!"

"Welcome to the family, brother," Mr. Bingley said cheerfully. "The footman will show you to a room, and then you ought to report to Colonel Forster. He is expecting your return."

Mr. Wickham gulped and nodded, his smug fa?ade gone; he was clearly unsettled by the turn of events, left wondering how Darcy had thwarted him once more.

Drawing Elizabeth closer to his side, and with a measure of determination, Darcy declared, "Bingley, now that all is settled, after your wedding, Elizabeth and I plan to leave for Darcy House so she can be introduced to our staff. From there, we will go directly to Pemberley."

"Mrs. Bennet is not pleased with the speed at which we wish to marry," Bingley laughed, tugging Jane closer with affection. "But I have no wish to wait any longer for my love."

"I quite agree," Darcy replied, and taking Elizabeth's arm, they left the room for their chamber and did not emerge until dinner.